‘The Halfway Level,’ ‘Swipe NYC’ Castings; Burbank Movie Competition Host, Presenters – Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: Sean Ryan Fox (Henry Hazard) and Catherine Daddario (Oak) will lead the forged of the indie highschool drama The Midway Point, marking the function directorial debut of writer-director Lucca Vieira, which has wrapped manufacturing in Los Angeles. Others within the ensemble embrace 2019 Honorary Academy Award winner Wes Studi (The Final of the Mohicans), Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Thora Birch (Ghost World) and Julie Benz (Dexter).

The approaching-of-age movie stated to be within the vein of Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade follows the introverted and extremely inventive highschool senior Jake (Fox) as he experiences his old flame with Alice (Daddario), a brash and outgoing classmate. As the 2 divulge heart’s contents to each other, the seemingly reverse pair discover they’ve extra in widespread than meets the attention. Studi performs Jake’s trainer, with Birch as his mom, and Benz as the varsity’s steering counselor who helps him along with his social anxieties.

An animator and award-winning quick filmmaker, Viera based mostly The Halfway Level partly on his experiences as an individual on the autism spectrum. He’s wanting with the function to embolden producers to permit neurodiverse artists like himself an opportunity to inform their tales with inventive freedom. David Guglielmo (The Standoff at Sparrow Creek) forged the movie, with Daemon Hillin (Apache Junction) of Hillin Leisure and Carolina Brasil (Maneater) of Stone Horus serving as producers.

Fox is represented by Gersh, Zero Gravity Administration and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Daddario by Modern Artists and Domesticate Leisure Companions; Studi by Modern Artists and Michael Black Administration; Birch by Luber Roklin Leisure; and Benz by Paradigm, Stride Administration and Meyer & Downs.

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EXCLUSIVE: Lisa Edelstein (The Kominsky Technique), Richard Schiff (The Good Physician) and Bridget Moynahan (Blue Bloods) will lead the forged of Sue Zarco Kramer’s quick movie Swipe NYC, which enters manufacturing in New York later this month.

The quick follows the adventures of the newly divorced empty nester, Syd (Edelstein), as she navigates the world of on-line courting in Brooklyn. Every “swipe” serves as a metaphoric stepping stone in direction of placing the items of her life again collectively. Kramer will direct from her personal script and produce alongside Moynahan, Cheryl Bayer and David Kelsey. Heather Sederquist is govt producing, with Katia Koziara serving as co-producer.

Kramer is repped by Gersh and legal professional André Des Rochers; Edelstein by Edelstein by Gersh and Real Artists; Schiff by Paradigm, Leverage Administration and Nelson Davis; and Moynahan by WME, Brillstein Leisure Companions and Sloane, Supply, Weber & Dern.

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EXCLUSIVE: Actor-director Christine Lakin (The Goldbergs) has been tapped because the host for the 14th annual Burbank Film Festival Awards Gala, set to happen on September eleventh.

The fest headed up by newly elected President Kurt Patino has additionally rounded out its lineup of presenters for the gala, which can embrace composer Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel), in addition to actors Autumn Reeser (The O.C.), Kelly Stables (Superstore), Eric Petersen (Kevin Can F**okay Himself), Julie Ann Emery (Higher Name Saul), Maya Stojan (Hunt Membership), Jes Macallan (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Bernardo Badillo (Emily the Prison), Jim Piddock (Greatest in Present) and Michael Pare (Starhunter). Further presenters embrace The Umbrella Academy producers Jason Neese and Jamie Neese, Right here TV’s David Millbern and Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes, whose attendance had already been confirmed.

Veteran speak present scribe Brian Kiley (Conan) is writing for the awards present, which can happen within the Marriott Burbank’s Academy Ballroom. Barry Jay’s drama The Means Out, starring Mike C. Manning, Jonny Beauchamp and Ashleigh Murray, opens the pageant, which runs from September 8-11 at AMC Burbank 16.

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EXCLUSIVE: Brittany S. Corridor (Ballers) has discovered her first lead movie position within the upcoming motion movie Imani, which Mike Ho is directing for Religion Media Distribution, in his function debut. Others becoming a member of the ensemble embrace Demetrius Shipp Jr. (All Eyez on Me), Stephen Bishop (The Terminal Listing), Kris D. Lofton (Energy Ebook IV: Power), Elyse Mirto (Dynasty) and Michael Monks (King Saud).

Loosely based mostly on the novel Goddess of Warfare by SLMN, Imani follows the story of Religion Newford (Corridor), who has all of it, dwelling a seemingly regular life as a mom and spouse to Bryce Newford (Shipp). A yr after what Religion thinks was a automotive accident, she slowly recovers from amnesia, solely to study that she is a extremely highly effective, sought-after Military Particular Ops Lieutenant who holds categorized intel that might blow the lid off a global conspiracy. Amaleka McCall and Tu-Shonda Whitaker wrote the script, with Manny Halley, Rodney Turner II and Yolanda Halley of Religion Media Distribution producing the pic slated for launch in late fall.

Corridor is repped by APA, the UK’s Alexander White Company, Hyperlink Leisure and Myman Greenspan Fox; Shipp by A3 Artists Company and Artistry Collective; Bishop by Greene Expertise and Weiner Dale Administration; Lofton by Stewart Expertise and Cavalry Media; Mirto by Illinois’ Shirley Hamilton Expertise and Georgia’s Aligned Stars Company; Monks by Momentum Expertise and Literary Company and Bohemia Group; and Ho by Verve, Artistry Collective and Andre Des Rochers.

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EXCLUSIVE: Jean Elie (Insecure) will star alongside Lauren Lapkus within the indie One other Pleased Day, from Crimson Squirrel Movies, which Nora Fiffer wrote and is directing as her first function.

The postpartum comedy follows artist, new mother, and scorching mess Joanna (Lapkus) as she stumbles into motherhood, careens via surreal goals and the all-too-real each day realities of parenting an toddler, and tumbles into an unlikely friendship with an estranged aunt she by no means knew. Elie will play Joanna’s husband Lucien, who has learn all the child books she missed. Lucien thinks he’s doing all the things he can to assist Joanna and be a incredible new father, however he simply doesn’t appear to get her anymore, and all his recommendation is touchdown all fallacious.

One other Pleased Day has obtained fiscal sponsorship from Chicago’s Full Spectrum Options, and continues to simply accept tax-deductible donations. Tourtellotte seems within the pic alongside Lapkus, Elie and Fiffer, and is producing with Fiffer and UPM Quinn Nicholson. Lapkus and Eugene Solar Park (The Yr Between) are serving as EPs. Elie is represented by 3 Arts Leisure and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

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EXCLUSIVE: Simona Brown (Behind Her Eyes) has been tapped to guide the drama Freedom Hair, from Oscar-nominated writer-director Dianne Houston, which enters manufacturing in Atlanta this month.

Produced by MPI, Freedom Hair is predicated on the true story of Melony Armstrong (Brown), a decided mom who units out to begin a pure hair braiding enterprise to realize monetary independence however should overcome surprising obstacles imposed by a strong cosmetology cartel and the state of Mississippi. Melony’s efforts led to 1000’s of African American ladies within the state of Mississippi following in her footsteps and realizing their very own entrepreneurial goals.

Freedom Hair‘s ensemble will even embrace Lynda Gravatt (Broadway’s Cat on a Scorching Tin Roof), Sharon Conley (The Starvation Video games), Marquita Goings (Woke) and Erica Tazel (Reality Be Instructed). Stacey Parks, Lana Hyperlink, and Rob Pfaltzgraff are producing, with Melony Armstrong, Kim Coleman and Nick Reid serving as govt producers. Brown is represented by the UK’s IAG, CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Gravatt by BRS/Gage; Conley by Georgia’s Houghton Expertise; Goings by Atlanta Fashions and Expertise, Pantheon Expertise, CGEM Expertise and legal professional Mark S. Temple; Tazel by Buchwald and John Carrabino Administration; and Houston by APA and Weintraub Tobin Chediak.

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EXCLUSIVE: Blu Hunt (The New Mutants), Ben Smith-Petersen (Mad Max: Fury Street), John Karna (Woman Hen) and Katherine Hughes (Me and Earl and the Dying Lady) lead the forged of the indie horror The Useless Factor, which has wrapped manufacturing in Los Angeles.

Billed as a neo-realist tackle an Invisible Man story and a contemporary city legend for the web courting period, the movie follows a younger lady (Hunt) who, misplaced in a string of meaningless hookups, falls in love with a delicate and charismatic man (Petersen) who she quickly discovers harbors a darkish secret that turns their affair right into a twisted obsession.

Elric Kane directed from his script written with Webb Wilcoxen (The Frontier), in his function debut. David Guglielmo (The Standoff at Sparrow Creek) forged the movie, with Monte Yazzie and Matt Mercer (Bliss, Contracted) producing, and Rebekah McKendry (Wonderful) serving as exec producer.

Hunt is represented by A3 Artists Company, Luber Roklin Leisure and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Smith-Petersen by Insurge-Ent; Karna by Buchwald and Coronel Group; and Hughes by Modern Artists and Ethos Leisure.

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EXCLUSIVE: Leslie Black (Doom Patrol) has joined the ensemble of John Stalberg Jr.’s thriller Muzzle, fronted by Aaron Eckhart.

The movie follows LAPD Okay-9 officer Jake Rosser (Eckhart), who has simply witnessed the stunning homicide of his devoted associate by a mysterious assailant. As he investigates the shooter’s id, he uncovers an enormous conspiracy that has a chokehold on town on this thrilling journey via the tangled streets of Los Angeles and the corrupt forms of the LAPD.

Carlyle Eubank (The Sign) wrote the script, from her and Stalberg’s story, with Highland Movie Group co-financing and dealing with worldwide rights. Stahlberg, David Frigerio and Ford Corbett are producing, with Dallas Sonnier and Michael J. Weiss exec producing alongside Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier of Highland Movie Group. Black is represented by Eris Expertise Company, Illinois’ Promote Expertise Company, Georgia’s Jana VanDyke Company and MLU Administration.

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EXCLUSIVE: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to the drama The Falconer — the primary function in historical past to have been filmed totally within the Arabian nation of Oman — slating it for launch in theaters and on VOD on September 16.

The award-winning movie from writer-directors Adam Sjoberg and Seanne Winslow is impressed by true occasions, following finest pals Tariq (Rami Zahar) and Cai (Rupert Fennessy). Tariq, an Omani teenager, and Cai, a Westerner, determine to steal animals from the zoo the place they work and promote them on the black market, with a view to elevate cash for Tariq’s sister’s divorce from an abusive marriage.

At its core, The Falconer is a narrative of friendship between two boys from very totally different worlds. Noor Al Huda additionally stars within the movie, which David Jacobson produced alongside Sjoberg and Winslow. David Kiersznowksi, Sarah Ansari, Larry & Dulcie Kugelman, David Rosten and Manee S. exec produced, with Dana Ballout and Mohammed J. Balushi serving as co-producers, and Tarim Contin-Kennedy, Muzna Al Musafer and Andrew Hummel as affiliate producers. The Dubai-based Entrance Row Leisure has taken rights to territories all through the Center East & North Africa.

Sjoberg, Winslow and Jacobson negotiated the deal for The Falconer on behalf of their firm Required Studying, with Gravitas Ventures’ Senior Director of Acquisitions Invoice Guentzler on behalf of the distributor. Watch the movie’s trailer beneath.

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EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to the drama I Am Like You, and to the coming-of-age comedy Shellfish, slating each for launch throughout VOD platforms on September 20.

I Am Like You is a narrative of the friendship between the teenage boy Sean (Curtis Butterfield) and a wolfdog. When the 2 are forcefully separated, we observe the journey of the animal seeking his good friend. Haik Kocharian wrote and directed the movie, which additionally stars Stacy Edwards, Terra Waterproof coat, Gwen Massey Tietz and Johnathan Hyett. Kocharian additionally produced alongside Karine Kocharian and Shawna Lea. Exec producers are Jeff Kozlowski, Amy Napierala, Rondi Charleston, Steven Ruchefsky, Armen Baloyan and Tigran Sahakyan.

Integrating live-action with animation, Shellfish tells the story of Keller (Hunter Hopewell), a stop-motion animator who has every week to make a movie along with his dumbstruck brother and the woman of his goals with out his mother and father discovering out. Because the movie shoot unravels, tensions boil to the floor. Confronted along with his continual selfishness, Keller should steadiness pursuit of his filmmaking goals with the care and feeding of his shut relationships on this quirky indie comedy with a twist of cease movement.

Hopewell wrote and directed the pageant favourite, which additionally stars Savanah Joeckel, Mackenzie Amar, Perry Bruno and Serenity Garcia. Its producers are Johnny Brenden, James & Hunter Hopewell, Michael & Karla Buhlman, Francisco Menendez and Phebe McCorkle.

Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to amass I Am Like You immediately with Kocharian, negotiating the deal for Shellfish immediately with Hunter Hopewell. Watch the trailers for each movies beneath.

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EXCLUSIVE: Buffalo 8 has introduced that it’s going to launch the thriller Hunther completely on Prime Video on September 23, with the movie subsequently turning into obtainable on Tubi (October), cable on demand (November) and iTunes (January 2023).

Within the movie from Eyeam Cinema, April Parker Jones (Bel-Air) and Hassan Johnson (Flatbush Misdemeanors) star as newlyweds Morgan and Charlie Westbrook, who set off to Birmingham to start their life collectively. Morgan’s preteen daughter Lauren (Jasmyn T. Curry) takes to Charlie, and the 2 develop a particular bond. However when that bond goes past boundaries, residue from Charlie’s previous surfaces and Morgan realizes she should struggle via the digital and literal prisons that her once-upon-a-time prince charming has constructed round her.

Hunther additionally stars Terrence ‘T.C.’ Carson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Ivan Mbakop (Hawkeye) and Roxzane T. Mims (Greenleaf). Aleshia Cowser Jackson directed from her script written with Mbakop, and exec produced alongside Mbakop, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Sharna L. Brown, Breyuna Williams, Deanthony Bateman, Quinanthony Bateman and Aaron Tyson.

The deal for Hunther was negotiated by Buffalo 8’s Head of Distribution Nikki Stier Justice, along side Eyeam Cinema’s CEO, Jackson and its President, Brown.

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EXCLUSIVE: Impartial movie distributor The Movie Arcade has acquired Wood Finger Studios’ newest thriller By no means Forgotten, slating it for launch on VOD on September 30.

By no means Forgotten follows three finest pals struggling to deal with actuality because the darkness from their previous threatens to destroy them. As their 10-year highschool reunion approaches, a long-buried secret from their previous returns to hang-out them, difficult their friendship and their sanity.

Ty Gordon (Obscura) directed from his personal script and stars alongside Robert Thomas Preston (Stepen King’s Rose Crimson) and Andrew John (Obscura). Preston, Rodes Phire and Stephen Gibler served as producers. Watch the trailer for By no means Forgotten by clicking beneath.

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EXCLUSIVE: Safier Leisure has acquired North American rights to Jimmy Drain’s movie Realm of Shadows, starring Drain, Tony Todd, Vernon Wells, Richard Tyson, Lauren Mayhew, Vida Ghaffari, Harley Wallen and Erika Monet, with plans for a multi-platform launch at a date which has not but been disclosed.

Within the horror-thriller anthology, the younger man Robby (Drain) obtains an archaic dagger with mysterious occult powers. After infiltrating a dangerously deadly satanic cult, he fights fireplace with fireplace, going through the problem of both maintaining his religion, or giving into the temptations of the world and dropping his soul.

Drain directed from his script, with Mel Novak, CJ Dunning, Marc Bilker and Gregg Stone rounding out the forged. Joseph Kelbie Williamson produced for The Williamson Administration, together with Drain and Gloria Tait of ThunderKnight Leisure LTD. Jared Safier of Safier Leisure negotiated the acquisition.

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EXCLUSIVE: Big Footage has acquired writer-director Jenny Waldo’s first function Acid Check, slating it for launch on digital platforms on October 4.

Set in 1992, towards the backdrop of the presidential election between Bush, Clinton and Perot, the movie follows a Latina teen who enters her senior yr with life-long plans to attend Harvard. On an evening out together with her finest good friend, she discovers Riot Grrrl, an aggressive feminist punk music, and impulsively drops acid. As she drifts farther and farther from “the plan,” she dives into new experiences, exploring her Mexican heritage, defining herself on her personal phrases, and rebelling towards her father’s management.

Primarily based on Waldo’s semi-autobiographical, award-winning wanting the identical identify, Acid Check stars Juliana DeStefano, Brian Thornton, Mia Ruiz, Reece Everett Ryan, Mai Le and Sara Gaston. The movie was fiscally sponsored by From the Coronary heart Productions and Contemporary Artwork, and acquired the ReFrame Stamp for being a gender-balanced manufacturing. Waldo, Anna Tran, Eddie Rodriguez, Hillary Felice and Kerianne Parker produced the pic, which made its world premiere on the 2021 Austin Movie Competition and has additionally screened at Dances With Movies, amongst different notable festivals.

Emma Manfredi negotiated the Acid Check acquisition on behalf of Big Footage, with Glen Reynolds of Circus Street Movies.

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EXCLUSIVE: Terror Movies has acquired the indie drama The Means Out from writer-director Barry Jay, which might be premiering at the 14th annual Burbank Movie Competition at Burbank’s AMC 16 on September eighth, occurring display on the FilmOut San Diego LGBT Movie Competition later that very same weekend. The distribution firm, specializing in horror, has slated the pic for launch in 2023.

The movie facilities on Alex Romero (Jonny Beauchamp), a struggling addict who takes unconventional recommendation from manipulative boxer Shane Collins (Mike Manning). As Shane takes Alex beneath his wing, Alex confronts demons from his previous whereas making an attempt to regain management of his life. Regardless of being cautioned by his sponsor (Sherri Shepherd) and finest good friend (Ashleigh Murray), Alex follows Shane’s steering and finds himself strolling a darkish path that jeopardizes not solely his sobriety, however his life.

Mitch Silpa additionally stars within the pic produced by Carl Rumbaugh, Nick Theurer and Artisha Mann-Cooper. Shepherd and Manning served as its govt producers.

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EXCLUSIVE: Deadline has an unique trailer for the Michael Pare-starring Bigfoot horror film The Wild Man, which Terror Movies has acquired for distribution in North America. The movie will premiere on digital platforms on September 30, then turning into obtainable for viewing on the Terror Movies and Kings of Horror YouTube Channels.

Within the movie directed by Ryan Justice (Followers), younger ladies have been going lacking in Ochopee, FL, with no single suspect in custody. A younger journalist, Sara, convinces her crew to affix her investigation as she travels to Ochopee to doc her discoveries, however they quickly notice their presence on this city is just not welcome. Decided to seek out her story, Sara convinces her pals to stay together with her, as a result of they’re onto one thing huge. Upon assembly Dale, the city’s infamous conspiracy theorist, she’s satisfied he is aware of greater than he’s keen to share. The crew humors Dale’s ridiculous theories, even accompanying him into the Florida swamps on his quest to indicate them “The Wild Man”, hoping he’ll by some means reveal his guilt. However what the crew discovers is a secret a lot deeper than fairy tales and legends. What they uncover is way darker and extra sinister than they bargained for.

The Wild Man additionally stars Lauren Crandall, Julian Inexperienced and Mike Reed. Watch the movie’s trailer beneath.