Leading independent financing and international sales company, Fortitude International, has signed a sales deal with Relativity Squared (“R2”), Relativity Studios’ new speciality division, for THE TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES, it was announced today by Fortitude co-founders, Nadine de Barros, Robert Ogden Barnum, Daniel Wagner and Relativity Studios president of production, Robbie Brenner.

THE TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES is directed by DJ Caruso (DISTURBIA) with Oscar nominee Matt Dillon (CRASH, THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY) set to join the cast opposite Jennifer Garner (DALLAS BUYERS CLUB) and Maika Monroe (THE GUEST).

Under the partnership, Fortitude will handle international sales on the film, and the companies will explore working together on additional select projects produced under the R2 speciality label. The division was created by Brenner with the objective of acquiring and producing prestige story-driven films with a unique point of view.

Fortitude will launch international sales on the drama at the European Film Market in Berlin. R2 will handle the US theatrical release.

Based on the debut novel by Joy Nicholson, THE TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES is set in the affluent community of Palos Verdes, California and centers on two teenagers, Medina (Monroe) and Jim, who move to the beach town with their parents. Their mother (Garner) teeters on the brink of a nervous breakdown while their father (Dillon) becomes a surgeon to the stars. Medina turns to surfing to escape her troubled home life.

“It is truly exciting to partner with Brenner and her team at Relativity as we seek to expand our slate, consistently striving to deliver high-quality, filmmaker-driven stories with a strong cast to our international buyers,” said de Barros, Barnum and Wagner. “THE TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES is the perfect blend of these elements and a wonderful start to what promises to be a fruitful relationship with R2.”

“We are excited to establish a new partnership with Fortitude International for international sales for ‘The Tribes of Palos Verdes’,” said Brenner. “This film is one of the first from our new R2 specialty division, where we will help nurture and share powerful films made by emerging and acclaimed filmmakers that tell unique stories.”

Matt Dillon has enjoyed a long career in Hollywood, appearing in over 40 films throughout the years including LITTLE DARLINGS, THE OUTSIDERS, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS and the iconic THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY with Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller. He received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the Oscar-winning film CRASH co-starring Sandra Bullock and Don Cheadle. His recent credits include YOU, ME AND DUPREE, TAKERS, THE ART OF THE STEAL and SUNLIGHT JR. He will also star in the upcoming Fox TV series, “Wayward Pines” opposite Melissa Leo and Terrence Howard, set to air in May 2015.

Dillon is represented by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.

ABOUT FORTITUDE INTERNATIONAL

Fortitude International is a foreign sales, finance and production entity based in Los Angeles and founded by foreign sales veteran Nadine de Barros, financier Daniel Wagner and producer Robert Ogden Barnum. 

With equity, bridge and senior debt capabilities at its disposal, the new sales and financing venture can fully finance projects and is looking to produce strong, commercial and director driven material.

Fortitude will be a haven for filmmakers and artists to make creatively and commercially successful films. In addition to feature films, the partners are also sourcing and financing TV series and minis, capitalizing on de Barros’ experience in the medium. 

Fortitude’s Berlin slate includes the newly announced THIS MAN, THIS WOMAN, produced by Mike Lobell and to be directed by Isabel Coixet with Penelope Cruz and Diane Kruger in final negotiations to star and BARTON & CHARLIE, to be directed and star Rupert Friend opposite Emily Blunt, both in pre-production.

They are also premiering brand new footage for three films: the thriller URGE starring Pierce Brosnan and Ashley Greene, DAUGHTER OF GOD with Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas and VINCENT-N-ROXXY starring Emile Hirsch and Zoë Kravitz.

Fortitude is also screening THE END OF THE TOUR for the first time at a market, James Ponsoldt’s follow up to THE SPECTACULAR NOW starring Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel, which made its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up for US distribution by A24 Films.

ABOUT RELATIVITY

Relativity (relativitymedia.com) is a next-generation global media company engaged in multiple aspects of content production and distribution, including movies, television, fashion, sports, digital and music. More than just a collection of entertainment-related businesses, Relativity is a content engine with the ability to leverage each of these business units, independently and together, to create content across all mediums, giving consumers what they want, when they want it.

Relativity Studios, the company's largest division, has produced, distributed or structured financing for more than 200 motion pictures, generating more than $17 billion in worldwide box-office revenue and earning 60 Oscar nominations. Relativity's films include Oculus, Safe Haven, Act of Valor, Immortals, Limitless, and The Fighter. Upcoming releases include The Lazarus Effect and Desert Dancer.