A flurry of domestic distribution deals were announced on Monday [Nov 7], led by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Strand Releasing taking US rights to The Island President and Andre Techine’s Unforgivable, respectively.

DP Jon Shenk’s documentary The Island President won the audience award in Toronto. It has already qualified for Academy consideration and portrays Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, a political survivor who now faces his battle against global warming as the archipelago face submersion.  Goldwyn has set a February 2012 release.

Goldwyn has slated a February 2012 release. Goldwyn negotiated the deal with Menemsha Films.

Strand Releasing brokered the Unforgivable deal with TF1 International. Techine’s film charts the complex history between a set of friends and stars Carole Bouquet and André Dussollier.

The film premiered in Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes this year and will open in spring 2012.

  • Meanwhile Lightning Media has taken on domestic home entertainment rights to horror tale The Melancholy Fantastic starring Robin Lord Taylor and newcomer Amy Crowdis. Artist View has come aboard to represent international rights.
  • Freestyle Digital Media will release the zombie slacker comedy Deadheads on its digital platform in the first quarter 2012. Brett Pierce and producer Andy Drummond negotiated the deal with Freestyle Digital Media CEO Susan Jackson. CMG holds international rights.

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