Independent Distribution have struck a deal with Fandango Portobello to co-release Matteo Garonne’s Cannes Grand Prix winner REALITY in the UK, which screens tonight as part of the official selection at The Toronto International Film Festival.  Luc Roeg, CEO of Independent made the announcement today.  The deal was negotiated between Roeg and Janine Gold of Fandango Portobello.

Leading the project will be newly appointed Heads of Distribution, Sarah Townsend and Stefanie Fahrion.  

Townsend has been at Independent as Head of Marketing in the international sales team for the last six years but now takes the role of Head of Distribution and Marketing working alongside Fahrion, who is promoted to co-run the business as Head of Distribution and Acquisitions.

Roeg commented:  “Sarah and Stefanie are the perfect candidates to build on the foundations the company has established and drive Independent Distribution to the next level. We are all very excited to be working with Janine and her whole team at Fandango Portobello on the release of Matteo Garrone’s exceptional film REALITY.” 

Gold commented: “This is the perfect opportunity for us to explore expanding into distribution in the UK, which we have been contemplating for some time.  We are thrilled to be co-distributing REALITY with Sarah, Stefanie, and the team at Independent.”

REALITY is a captivating and original piece of work. The film stars Aniello Arena, Loredana Simioli and Nando Paone and is set to open in the UK on 14 December 2012.  The film is a fascinating take on the world of Big Brother and delves in to the darker side of reality TV as it follows the extreme lengths some people will go to for their five minutes of fame.  

Luciano (Aniello Arena) is a Neapolitan fishmonger who supplements his modest income by pulling off little scams together with his wife Maria. Likeable and entertaining, Luciano never misses an opportunity to perform for his customers and countless relatives. One day his family urge him to try out for Big Brother and in chasing this dream his perception of reality begins to change.

Independent Distribution specialises in acquiring and distributing content across all media channels, including Theatrical, DVD, VOD and TV and have enjoyed successes with titles including the Oscar-nominated documentary HELL AND BACK AGAIN and most recently the award-winning TINY FURNITURE by America’s latest break-out talent Lena Dunham. 

ABOUT INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION:

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION (ID) is a division of London based production and sales outfit, INDEPENDENT (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, MR NICE, MOON).  ID specializes in the acquisition and distribution of independent film across all media channels (theatrical, DVD, VOD, TV etc).  ID has a team dedicated to implementing new and innovative distribution models, with a number of strategic partnerships in PR, marketing and digital distribution to ensure our films get extra special attention.

ID recently released the award-winning TINY FURNITURE by America’s latest break-out talent Lena Dunham (HBO’s GIRLS), previous Cannes Critics’ Week selection THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER and the Oscar nominated documentary HELL AND BACK AGAIN by acclaimed photojournalist Danfung Dennis. ID will next be releasing Matteo Garrone’s Cannes Grand Prix winning REALITY.

www.independentfilmcompany.com

ABOUT FANDANGO PORTOBELLO:

Owned by award-winning producers Eric Abraham and Domenico Procacci, Fandango Portobello is an international sales agency and film financier run by Janine Gold, ex-head of Film Four International. Recent titles include Matteo Garrone's Cannes 2012 Grand Prix winner REALITY, Daniele Vicari’s explosive DIAZ which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, and Nanni Moretti’s HABEMUS PAPAM, which premiered in Competition in Cannes in 2011 and has since sold to over 45 countries. Fandango Portobello financed and executive produced Joshua Marston's Berlinale 2011 Silver Bear winner THE FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD.  THE SALT OF LIFE, Gianni di Gregorio's follow up to his multi-award winning MID-AUGUST LUNCH (currently being developed by Fandango Portobello as an English language remake), also premiered at Berlinale 2011. Other titles include Cannes 2008 Grand Prix winner and Golden Globe nominee GOMORRA, directed by Matteo Garrone and Ferzan Ozpetek’s LOOSE CANNONS. Fandango Portobello also handles an extensive library including titles such as Paolo Sorrentino’s THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE, QUIET CHAOS starring Nanni Moretti, and THE LAST KISS by Gabriele Muccino.