‘Queen Freak’ and ‘When Angels Sing ‘are the first two titles on inaugural slate
Los Angeles, CA – (May 14, 2012) Gary R. Benz (President & CEO) of long established TV company GRB Entertainment announced today the official launch of the company’s international feature film division which will be selling rights to two films at this year’s Marche du Film. GRB’s expansion into feature theatrical films began last year when Benz set up the feature division and brought Todd Olsson on board. The company has been looking for high quality commercially viable features that are a cut above the usual fare.
“We’ve been working hard to find the right films to get off to a great start, and both of these films are extraordinary,†said Benz.
The company will bring QUEEN FREAK, which stars Matthew Modine, Kristin Chenoweth, Joey King, Shirley Jones, and a relatively new-comer in the lead, Olesya Rulin. It’s a wickedly sharp tale about a dysfunctional family, where the kids take matters into their own hands to “re-educate†their eccentric and distant parents (Modine and Chenoweth), in an attempt to form an actual family, very much in ‘Wes Anderson-style.’ The film was directed by Benjamin Epps and produced by Adam Saunders and Chris Aronoff, through their Footprint Features banner, in association with The Bedford Falls Company.
WHEN ANGELS SING is a unique Christmas film, produced by the iconic producer of the SPY KIDS franchise, Elizabeth Avellán, and producer Shannon McIntosh. They bring an ensemble cast led by Harry Connick Jr. and Connie Britton and including Chandler Canterbury, Fionnula Flanagan, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Lyle Lovett. Tim McCanlies directs from a script based on the Turk Pipkin novel of the same name. The film is about Michael (Connick) who got the ‘Christmas kicked out of him’ and now avoids it in every way possible. But when a mysterious man ‘Nick’ sells him a very special house, he soon finds out he now lives exactly in the heart of Christmas central.
Todd Olsson, VP Feature Films, and Joey Sabella, Director of International for GRB will be selling both films at Cannes.
Said Olsson, “We have two really phenomenal films coming out of the gate. Both will have their World Premiere in Cannes. It’s a nice bonus they’re screening at the first market we’re presenting them. It gives buyers a great opportunity to really know what the film is, and how strong it plays.â€
Both films will screen several times during the market and are currently available for all international territories. Domestic distributors have been circling the films, and will have a chance to see the titles for the first time in Cannes.
About GRB Entertainment:
Since Gary R. Benz founded the company over 26 years ago, GRB has distributed more than 2500 hours of television content, including programs aired during primetime in over 190 countries. GRB’s international team is recognized as one of the premiere distributors of quality programming, with timely servicing and unmatched professionalism.
As an industry trendsetter in the unscripted alternative programming arena, GRB is expanding the success of the company with the launch of GRB’s theatrical feature film division. This new division will be dedicated to the acquisition, production, and co-production of films for international distribution. The launch is part of a far-ranging effort by the company to expand the reach of its renowned business, bringing a slate of high-caliber feature films to markets and audiences around the world. GRB’s strategy to create partnerships with producers with proven track records, will bring 8-10 high quality theatrical films to market each year.