Latest news with #CannesCamérad'Or
Broadcast Pro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Sony Pictures Classics acquires rights to Iraqi film ‘The President's Cake'
The film is made in association with Missing Piece Films, Working Barn Productions, Maiden Voyage Pictures and Spark Features. Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and India for Cannes Caméra d'Or winner The President's Cake by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi. Iraqi director Hasan Hadi has won the People's Choice audience award at the second edition of the Cannes Directors' Fortnight for his debut feature The President's Cake. The award, the only audience-voted prize among the Cannes Official Selection and its parallel sections, marks a major international recognition for Hadi and a powerful moment for Iraqi cinema. Based in New York, Hadi drew from his own childhood experiences growing up in southern Iraq during the 1990s, under the regime of Saddam Hussein and the harsh conditions imposed by international sanctions. His film tells the story of Lamia, a nine-year-old girl tasked with bringing a birthday cake to school to celebrate the president's birthday—a seemingly simple mission that becomes a daunting struggle for survival in a time of extreme scarcity. The consequences of failure could be devastating for her and her family. Produced by Leah Chen Baker under the New York-based banner TPC Film LLC, The President's Cake is being sold internationally by Films Boutique, while UTA is handling distribution in North America. The Directors' Fortnight, a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival known for its focus on bold and independent filmmaking, does not use a traditional jury system. Instead, the People's Choice award, which includes a €7,500 ($8,400) cash prize, is determined entirely by audience votes. The award was established last year in partnership with the Chantal Akerman Foundation to honor the legacy of the late Belgian filmmaker, whose groundbreaking works such as Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles were closely tied to the spirit of the Fortnight.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sony Pictures Classics Takes North America & Multiple Territories For Cannes Caméra D'Or Winner ‘The President's Cake'
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and India for Cannes Caméra d'Or winner The President's Cake by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi. The film, which debuted in Directors' Fortnight, also proved a crowdpleaser in the Cannes parallel section, winning its People's Choice audience award. More from Deadline Janus Films Acquires Bi Gan's Cannes Prize-winner 'Resurrection' For North America Sergei Loznitsa's 'Two Prosecutors' Scores Fresh Deals For Coproduction Office - Cannes Netflix Buys Richard Linklater's 'Breathless' Homage & Love Letter To Cinema 'Nouvelle Vague' In Record Domestic Deal For A French-Language Movie Deadline critic Pete Hammond also fell for the film describing it as a 'a true gem and a real discovery'. Check out his review here. New York-based Hadi has tapped into his own childhood in southern Iraq in the 1990s, growing up under the regime of President Saddam Hussein and the socio-economic crisis provoked by international sanctions, for the film. The drama follows nine-year-old Lamia who gets the short straw of having to provide a birthday cake for her classmates to celebrate the president's birthday. Gathering the ingredients for the mandatory cake at a time of shortages is a monumental task but failure to deliver could lead to prison or death for her family. The movie is produced by Leah Chen Baker with executive producers including award-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (Forrest Gump) and director Marielle Heller (Nightbitch, Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood). The film is made in association with Missing Piece Films, Working Barn Productions, Maiden Voyage Pictures and Spark Features. 'Winning the Caméra d'Or in a year with so many formidable directorial debuts and winning the Audience Award in the Directors' Fortnight, Hasan Hadi's The President's Cake is the surprise hit of this year's festival. In the tradition of major Cannes discoveries, these ovations and critical acclaim mark the beginning of a fresh voice destined to thrill audiences everywhere,' said Sony Pictures Classics. 'Since childhood, Sony Pictures Classics has been the go-to name for quality cinema and original storytelling. It's a dream come true—and a true honor—to now be part of that legacy. Their incredible history of championing international films and commitment to theatrical releases makes them the perfect home for The President's Cake,' added Hadi. The film was negotiated between UTA Independent Film Group, WME Independent and Sony Pictures Classics. Films Boutique represents international sales. Hadi is repped by UTA and Jonathan Gardner. The Sundance Film Institute and Doha Film Institute are among the many supporters of the film. Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
