New York, NY (February 3, 2011) – IFC Films announced today that the company is acquiring North American rights to actor Dermot Mulroney’s (THE FAMILY STONE, MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING) directorial debut LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE. The romantic comedy, which was produced by Michelle Chydzik Sowa (THE WEDDING DATE) and written by Anouska Chydzik Bryson and Caprice Crane, stars Kellan Lutz (TWILIGHT), Mandy Moore (LICENSE TO WED, BECAUSE I SAID SO), James Brolin (TRAFFIC, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN), Jane Seymour (WEDDING CRASHERS) and Jessica Szohr (GOSSIP GIRL). This is the first picture Chydzik Sowa has produced under her new banner CHYDZIK MEDIA GROUP.
Ava (Moore) is a marriage counselor whose life as a newlywed married to Charlie (Lutz) is turned upside down when she discovers her parents’ happy marriage is unexpectedly headed for divorce. Determined to reconcile her parents for their 30th anniversary surprise party she stops at nothing plunging from one compromising situation to another. Will she destroy her own marriage and her professional life in her attempt to get her parents back together?
Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, said: "We are thrilled to be working with Dermot Mulroney on his winning directorial debut. This is a big-hearted and charming film that we are confident will win over audiences."
Chydzik Sowa and Mulroney have worked together twice before on THE WEDDING DATE and INHALE. Mulroney’s upcoming projects include the film EVERYBODY LOVES WHALES, in which he stars alongside Drew Barrymore, and THE GREY, with Liam Neeson.
The deal for LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films, and Lizzie Nastro, Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films, with International Creative Management, which also represents Mulroney, Brolin and Szohr. Dan March from Echo Bridge Entertainment will handle foreign sales. Chydzik Media Group and Voodoo Pictures financed the picture, which was shot in New Orleans, LA.
IFC Films is a sister division to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by Rainbow Media.
About IFC FILMS
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of high profile talent-driven independent film. Its unique distribution model makes independent films available to a national audience by releasing them in theaters as well as on cable’s Video On Demand (VOD) platform, reaching nearly 50 million homes. Some of the company’s successes over the years have included My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Touching the Void, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Gomorrah, Che, Summer Hours, Antichrist, In the Loop, Antichrist, Wordplay, Cairotime, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Tiny Furniture and Carlos. Over the years, IFC Films has worked with established and breakout auteurs, including Steven Soderbergh, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Miranda July, Lars Von Trier, Gaspar Noe, Todd Solondz, Cristian Mungiu, Susanne Bier, Olivier Assayas, Jim McKay, Larry Fessenden, Gregg Araki, Jacques Rivette, Claude Chabrol, as well as more recent breakouts such as Andrea Arnold, Mia Hansen Love, Corneliu Porombiou, Joe Swanberg, Barry Jenkins, Lena Dunham, Aaron Katz, Daryl Wein and Abdellatif Kechiche. IFC Films is a sister division to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by Rainbow Media.
About CHYDZIK MEDIA GROUP
Chydzik Media Group was founded by Producer and Financier Michelle Chydzik Sowa. Chydzik Sowa started her career in film in 1995 working for Fred Gallo, President of Physical Production at Paramount Pictures. She then went on to work for John Goldwyn, the Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. Having gained experience both in development and physical production at the studio, in 2001 she launched 26 Films in collaboration with partner Nathalie Marciano. Under the 26 Films banner she produced several successful romantic comedies, THE WEDDING DATE, STARTER FOR TEN, MY LIFE IN RUINS, and a dramatic thriller, INHALE. In 2009 she left the partnership and formed Chydzik Media Group. LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE is the first movie that she has produced and financed under the new banner.