IFC Films & FilmNation Entertainment Win Bidding War For U.S. Rights To Venice Golden Lion Winner "Happening"
Source: IFC Films PR
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| IFC Films (IFC Films) |
IFC Films President Arianna Bocco and FilmNation Entertainment’s CEO Glen Basner announced today that they are acquiring U.S. rights to French writer-director Audrey Diwan’s sophomore feature "Happening."
"Happening" is set in France, 1963. Anne is a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her. But when she falls pregnant, she sees the opportunity to finish her studies and escape the constraints of her social background disappearing. With her final exams fast approaching and her belly growing, Anne resolves to act, even if she has to confront shame and pain, even if she must risk prison to do so.
Arianna Bocco, President of IFC Films said, “Audrey has crafted an award-winning film that puts a face on the choices women have to make, achieving something incredibly rare and rewarding in its powerful depiction of humanity. We look forward to working with Audrey, Glen, and the entire filmmaking team to bring this film to the widest audience possible in the US.”
Glen Basner, CEO of FilmNation Entertainment said, “Audrey’s stunning and powerful film could not be more timely and we are thrilled to collaborate with Arianna and her team at IFC Films to bring this emotional cinematic experience to US audiences.”
Director Audrey Diwan added, “Through the lens of IFC Films and FilmNation, I realized what HAPPENING could represent to audiences in the U.S. I feel incredibly supported by this alliance, whose common goal is to take this story to new heights and champion my artistic vision. Arianna Bocco and Glen Basner have both long advocated for compelling and important films, which assures me this partnership that we are about to embark on together will be an extremely exciting one.”
"Happening" had its world premiere at the 2021 Venice Film Festival where Diwan took home the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion.
The deal for the film was negotiated by IFC Films’ President Arianna Bocco with CAA Media Finance and Wild Bunch on behalf of the filmmakers. Wild Bunch International is handling international sales.
IFC Films will release the film theatrically in early 2022.
