Apple has acquired worldwide rights to Cooper Raiff’s Sundance title Cha Cha Real Smooth in a deal worth a reported $15m, making it the biggest so far at this year’s online festival.
The film premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars Raiff as an aimless college student who befriends a young mother played by Dakota Johnson. The cast also includes Leslie Mann, Vanessa Burghardt, Evan Assante, Brad Garett, Raúl Castillo, and Odeya Rush.
Raiff wrote the script and produced alongside Johnson, Ro Donnelly, Erik Feig and Jessica Switch. The project was co-financed by Picturestart and Endeavor Content, and the deal was negotiated by WME, ICM Partners and Endeavor Content.
Cha Cha Real Smooth is Raiff’s second feature as a director, following 2020 SXSW grand jury prize winner Shithouse.
Other Sundance deals this year include Searchlight picking up US rights to Good Luck To You, Leo Grande starring Emma Thompson, and Sony Classics’ acquisition of multiple territories on Number 9 Films’ Living starring Bill Nighy.
At last year’s Sundance, Apple paid $25m for worldwide rights to awards contender Coda.
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