Cannes Market Dailies

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Next-generation media company STX Entertainment, has secured worldwide distribution rights to Run Rabbit Run from Emmy-nominated “Handmaid’s Tale” director Daina Reid (The Outsider) and starring Emmy award winner Elisabeth Moss.  Moss recently starred in another genre hot property, The Invisible Man, which raced to a worldwide box office of $125m, making it not only one of the top performing films of the year but also one of the most profitable given its low budget.  STXfilms will directly distribute Run Rabbit Run in the US, UK and Ireland with STXinternational set to introduce the film to buyers at this week’s Cannes Virtual Market.  The deal was negotiated by Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films on behalf of the producers on the eve of the market.  

The film is written by novelist Hannah Kent, who penned the script from an original idea developed with Carver Films (Relic, Snowtown). Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw of Carver Films are producing the film set to start shooting on location in Australia in 2020.  Moss will also produce alongside her partner Lindsey McManus.

XYZ Films will finance in collaboration with Finland’s IPR.VC and executive produce the project. Run Rabbit Run is a Carver Films production, with major production investment from XYZ and Screen Australia, in association with Film Victoria and the South Australian Film Corporation.

30WEST will also serve as Executive Producers. Umbrella Entertainment will be releasing in Australia and New Zealand.

Adam Fogelson, Chairman of the STXfilms Motion Picture Group commented, “Elisabeth’s outstanding performance and the huge success of The Invisible Man make her a theatrical force to be reckoned with. A genre film that reunites Elisabeth with “The Handmaid’s Tale” director Daina Reid is an incredible opportunity and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this film together.”

Moss, who won an Emmy for her portrayal of June Osborne in the hit TV show “The Handmaid’s Tale,” most recently starred in the films Her Smell and Shirley in addition to the box office hit The Invisible Man. She will next appear in Wes Anderson’s Cannes Official Selection The French Dispatch, as well as Taiki Waititi’s Next Goal Wins.

In addition to “Handmaid’s Tale,” Reid’s directing credits include Amazon’s “Upload,” HBO’s “The Outsider” and SBS series “Sunshine.”

Moss is repped by WME, Independent Talent Group and Ribisi Entertainment Group. Reid is repped by RGM Artists and ICM Partners.

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About XYZ Films

XYZ Films is an integrated content company whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. As an independent production company and worldwide sales agency, the company is uniquely suited to identify talented filmmakers and bring their stories to life. In 2019, XYZ expanded into management, working with an international roster of filmmakers, and secured a film fund with ambitions of financing over a dozen films in the next 2-3 years. XYZ was founded in 2008 by Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian. XYZ Films is best known for The Raid franchise, 2017 Sundance winner I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore, and Panos Cosmatos' psychedelic revenge thriller Mandy.

About Carver Films

Carver Films is a development and production company run by award-winning producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw, making independent film and television with global reach. Carver’s latest feature, Natalie Erika James’ Relic, premiered at Sundance 2020 and stars Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote. It was produced in partnership with Nine Stories’ Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker, and AGBO’s Anthony and Joe Russo (Avengers Infinity War, Avengers Endgame), and will be released by IFC (US) and STAN (Australia) in July 2020. Carver previously produced Partisan starring Vincent Cassel (World Dramatic Competition, Sundance 2015); Shopping (World Dramatic Competition, Sundance 2013; Grand Prix winner in its section, 2013 Berlin Film Festival); and Snowtown (Special Jury Award, Critics Week, Cannes 2011). In the TV space Carver produced SBS TV drama Sunshine, directed by Daina Reid and starring Melanie Lynskey and Anthony LaPaglia. Sunshine opened Séries Mania in Melbourne and won the 2017 AACTA for Best Mini-Series. Carver has a range of feature films and TV series in development, many of which are collaborations with Australian or US partners.

About STX Entertainment

STX Entertainment is a global, next-generation media company whose mission is to unlock the value of the direct connection stars have with their fans through the development, financing, production, marketing and distribution of film, television, digital video, music and live entertainment content. It is the industry leader in transforming beyond traditional platform-driven content to creating talent-driven enterprises.

The company is led by accomplished businessman and entrepreneur Robert Simonds. Investors include the global private investment firm TPG Growth; Hony Capital, a leading private equity firm in China; PCCW, Southeast Asia's largest Internet and cable services provider; Tencent Holdings, China's leading provider of online products and services; Liberty Global, the world’s largest distribution platform; Dominic Ng, Chairman of East West Bank; New Enterprise Associates (NEA); DNS Capital (representing the business interests of Gigi Pritzker and her immediate family); and Beau Wrigley, former Chairman and CEO of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, among others. With these strategic relationships, the company is uniquely positioned to maximize the impact of content worldwide, with direct passage into the China market.

For more information, please visit http://www.stxentertainment.com.

About Screen Australia

Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting the development, production and promotion of Australian scripted and documentary content. The agency funds productions for television, film and online. Screen Australia also administers Australia’s Official Co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset tax rebate which assists eligible Australian and Official Co-productions to be made. The agency provides a range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence and special initiatives, such as its Gender Matters program. For more information visit screenaustralia.gov.au.