Independent takes on sales for Sundance hits Safety Not Guaranteed, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

Safety Not Guaranteed, which won the Waldo Salt screenwriting prize in Park City, stars Aubry Plaza and Mark Duplass. FilmDistrict has US rights.

Producers are Big Beach Films (Little Miss Sunshine) in association with Duplass Brothers Productions.

Andrew Orr of Independent said: “We are delighted to be handling this Sundance favourite and working with Big Beach. The film is a real crowd pleaser, with a knock out ending and we look forward to bringing it to the international market in Berlin.”

Peter Saraf of Big Beach added: “Every now and again you make a picture that connects with audiences in that magical way that you can’t predict. Because of it’s universal emotion we think people around the world are going to enjoy it and we are very excited to work with Independent and Cinetic to find our international distribution partners.”

The Ai Weiwei doc won a special jury prize in Sundance and screens here in Berlinale Special. The project is especially topical as the outspoken Chinese artist has been released from prison and he will soon be able to travel outside China again.

Klayman (who also produced with Adam Schlesinger) said: “After traveling around China and the world with Weiwei during production and meeting so many of his fans and museum audiences, it was clear to me that this is a global film. It’s really exciting to have Independent as a partner to help us reach worldwide audiences with NEVER SORRY.”

Orr added: “Independent is delighted to be handling this fantastic and hugely important documentary. We look forward to bringing the film to the international market after an amazing reception at Sundance. Ai Weiwei is going to be one of the most important cultural and political figures of our time and this documentary is a fascinating and entertaining insight into his life and work.”

Independent will work with Cinetic on world sales for both titles.