Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 25, 2015 21:00:41 GMT -6
variety.com/2015/film/news/sundance-relativity-buys-football-doc-exclusive-1201412261/
Relativity Sports has acquired distribution rights to its first documentary “In Football We Trust” ahead of the film’s Jan. 23 world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The feature-length documentary explores the role football plays within the Polynesian community in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“This film is an ideal example of sports’ critical role in everyday society and demonstrates the impact a strong culture and community can have on sports,” said Relativity Sports executive Dan Fegan, who’s an exec producer on the film.
“We look forward to the continued development of our content division with projects like this, as they will only further grow our core business,” he added.
First-time filmmakers Tony Vainuku and Erika Cohn, based in Salt Lake City, obtained access to the Polynesian community and explored the world of recruiting, the nature of competitive athletics, the complexities of cultural identity and religion along with the pressures of family responsibility. Independent Television Service co-produced and co-financed.
Michael D. Ratner, president of OBB Pictures, is an executive producer.
The film is the first documentary acquisition by Relativity Sports, which has produced and released “Being: Mariano,” “David Ortiz: In the Moment,” “Dwight Howard: In the Moment” and “Amar’e Stoudemire: In the Moment.”
Relativity Sports was represented in the deal by Heather Brooks Karatz. The division of Relativity Media is one of the largest professional sports agencies in the world, representing more than 300 NBA, NFL and MLB athletes.
Relativity Sports is led by Relativity Media co-president Happy Walters. It’s touted as the only sports management agency that’s a division of a global entertainment company, enabling it to offer athletes direct access to film, television and digital properties.
Relativity saw a strong performance from a festival acquisition last year with “Oculus” taking in $40 million worldwide after debuting at Toronto.
Relativity Sports has acquired distribution rights to its first documentary “In Football We Trust” ahead of the film’s Jan. 23 world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The feature-length documentary explores the role football plays within the Polynesian community in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“This film is an ideal example of sports’ critical role in everyday society and demonstrates the impact a strong culture and community can have on sports,” said Relativity Sports executive Dan Fegan, who’s an exec producer on the film.
“We look forward to the continued development of our content division with projects like this, as they will only further grow our core business,” he added.
First-time filmmakers Tony Vainuku and Erika Cohn, based in Salt Lake City, obtained access to the Polynesian community and explored the world of recruiting, the nature of competitive athletics, the complexities of cultural identity and religion along with the pressures of family responsibility. Independent Television Service co-produced and co-financed.
Michael D. Ratner, president of OBB Pictures, is an executive producer.
The film is the first documentary acquisition by Relativity Sports, which has produced and released “Being: Mariano,” “David Ortiz: In the Moment,” “Dwight Howard: In the Moment” and “Amar’e Stoudemire: In the Moment.”
Relativity Sports was represented in the deal by Heather Brooks Karatz. The division of Relativity Media is one of the largest professional sports agencies in the world, representing more than 300 NBA, NFL and MLB athletes.
Relativity Sports is led by Relativity Media co-president Happy Walters. It’s touted as the only sports management agency that’s a division of a global entertainment company, enabling it to offer athletes direct access to film, television and digital properties.
Relativity saw a strong performance from a festival acquisition last year with “Oculus” taking in $40 million worldwide after debuting at Toronto.