Saban Films Gobbles Ensemble FRIENDSGIVING with Malin Akerman, Kat Dennings, Chelsea Peretti, Jane Seymour and Aisha Tyler

Saban Films announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to Nicol Paone’s (Funny People, “The Big Gay Sketch Show”) directorial debut Friendsgiving.  The comedy’s ensemble cast includes Malin Akerman (Rampage, “Billions”), Kat Dennings (“2 Broke Girls,” “Big Mouth”), Chelsea Peretti (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Big Mouth”), Christine Taylor (Zoolander, “Arrested Development”), Golden Globe Award® winner Jane Seymour (Wedding Crashers, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”), Aisha Tyler (“Archer,” Death Sentence), Deon Cole (“Black-ish”), Wanda Sykes (“Black-ish”), Margaret Cho and Fortune Feimster (“The Mindy Project”).  Akerman is also producing along with Ben Stiller, Nicholas Weinstock and Haroon Saleem for Red Hour Films with Tara L. Craig executive producing.  Saban Films is planning a theatrical release for 2020.

Friendsgiving follows Molly (Akerman), a glamorous, newly divorced actor, and Abby (Dennings), her recently-dumped lesbian best friend. Together, along with their motley crew of close friends and strange acquaintances, they host a dysfunctional, comical and chaotic Thanksgiving dinner.

Friendsgiving is co-financed by Red Hour and Endeavor Content, who is also handling international sales.

“We are thrilled to be championing Friendsgiving along with Red Hour and Endeavor Content,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley.  “This is a witty and relatable story, along with an outstanding and endearing ensemble cast that our audiences will be enjoying next holiday season.”

Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal for Saban Films along with Endeavor Content on behalf of the filmmakers. 

Saban Films continues to grow its presence in the industry, remaining active in the acquisition, production and distribution space. The company’s successes have run the gamut from critically acclaimed theatrical films such as The Homesman starring Hilary Swank, to two of the biggest Fathom events with horror icon and heavy metal mastermind Rob Zombie’s 31 in 2016 and 3 From Hell earlier this month, as well as Kevin Smith’s highly-anticipated Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, the sequel to the 2001 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back which the company partnered on after coming onboard at script stage.  Its upcoming slate includes: Steven C. Miller’s Line of Duty; Will Forbes’ John Henry starring Terry Crews and Ludacris and executive produced by Matthew Antoun.