New York, NY (January 3, 2005) – IFC Films has announced the acquisition of Michael Cuesta's TWELVE AND HOLDING, which was produced by Serenade Films and premiered at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is a dramatic return to the suburban landscape for the director of the award winning feature LIE. The announcement was made today by IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring.
"Cuesta has the enviable skill to take this seemingly familiar terrain and make it both mysterious and shocking at the same time," commented Sehring. "Both LIE and Twelve and Holding make somber multi-generational statements about society and suburbia."
TWELVE AND HOLDING unfolds following the tragic death of Rudy, the popular twin brother of the introverted Jacob (both roles played by newcomer Connor Donovan). Rudy's death at the malicious hands of local bullies forces Jacob and his adolescent pals, Malee (Zoe Weizenbaum) and Leonard (Jesse Camacho) to make sense of some very adult issues. With a revenge plot in motion, the trio deal with unlikely alliances and troubling self-images.
This is Cuesta's second feature film. His first feature, LIE was released in 2001 and was met with strong critical acclaim and numerous awards including two coveted Spirit Awards.
The deal was negotiated by Sarah Lash (IFC's VP or Acquisitions) and Jonathan Sehring on behalf of IFC. CAA, Leslie Urdang and Michael Nozik negotiated on behalf of Serenade Films. IFC Films acquired U.S. theatrical rights to the film. A summer 2006 release date is anticipated at this time.
Twelve and Holding is one of three films produced under the Serenade Films' model where directors have full creative control, work for modest fees, and participate in adjusted gross proceeds derived from the revenues generated by the film. Serenade produced Twelve and Holding in association with Canary Films, Echo Lake Productions, Frank Frattaroli and Mike Downey.
ABOUT IFC ENTERTAINMENT
IFC Films is a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters. IFC Films releases approximately 10 films per year, building its slate of titles from an aggressive acquisitions program and selected in-house productions. IFC Films is part of IFC Entertainment, which also consists of IFC Productions, InDigEnt (a digital production arm) and the new IFC Center in Greenwich Village.
The company produced and distributed the award winning Me And You And Everyone We Know, which is currently in release across the country. Lars von Trier 's Manderlay and Pierrepoint starring Timothy Spall are among the upcoming releases. IFC Films is executive produced Night Listener with Hart Sharp which will have its world premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and also produced Susanne Bier's After the Wedding, which the banner will also distribute.
Notable IFC films include the Academy Award winning Boys Don't Cry, Touching the Void which broke box office records to become among the top ten grossing documentaries of all time, 2003 Oscar ® -nominated My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Alfonso Cuaron's Y Tu Mama Tambien. IFC Films co-distributed Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.
For more information and upcoming releases, please visit www.ifcfilms.com .