RIEGEL was selected as one of Variety’s ‘10 Directors to Watch’ in 2020
NEW YORK, NY (February 4, 2021) – IFC Films announced today that they are acquiring North American rights to HOLLER written and directed by Nicole Riegel, one of Variety’s ‘10 Directors to Watch’ in 2020. The film marks Riegel’s directorial debut, and stars a breakout performance from Jessica Barden (END OF THE F*CKING WORLD), Gus Halper (SING STREET), Pamela Adlon (BETTER THINGS, CALIFORNICATION), Becky Ann Baker (FREAKS AND GEEKS, GIRLS), and Austin Amelio (AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD). HOLLER is produced by Katie McNeill and Jamie Patricof of Hunting Lane Films, Christy Spitzer Thornton, Level Forward’s Rachel Gould, and Adam Cobb, with executive producers Adrienne Becker, Abigail E. Disney, Paul Feig, and Jessie Henderson. HOLLER was selected by the Toronto International Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival, and Deauville Film Festival in 2020, and IFC Films will release the film in June 2021.
In a forgotten pocket of Southern Ohio where American manufacturing and opportunity are drying up, a determined young woman finds a ticket out when she is accepted to college. Alongside her older brother, Ruth Avery joins a dangerous scrap metal crew in order to pay her way. Together, they spend one brutal winter working the scrap yards during the day and stealing valuable metal from the once thriving factories by night. With her goal in sight, Ruth finds that the ultimate cost of an education for a girl like her may be more than she bargained for, and she soon finds herself torn between a promising future and the family she would leave behind.
Arianna Bocco, President of IFC Films said, “Nicole Riegel’s beautiful cinematic voice is an instant powerhouse – she has created a visually stunning, personal and singular vision of American life with empathy and passion. We’re thrilled to partner with such an accomplished and innovative producing team to bring this tremendous debut to audiences nationwide.”
Director Nicole Riegel added, “HOLLER has been an enduring labor of love that I’ve poured many years of my life into, and I am so thrilled that my first film has found a passionate and caring home in IFC Films. Arianna and her amazing team have consistently taken chances on bold women and their stories, and I’m honored to be a part of that continuity.”
Nicole Riegel is another first-time feature filmmaker developed, produced and with HOLLER, fully financed by Level Forward, whose recent work includes The Assistant, What The Constitution Means To Me, Rebel Hearts and Slave Play. Hunting Lane brought their legacy of work with acclaimed first-timers including films Half Nelson and Blue Valentine.
The deal for the film was negotiated by President of IFC Films Arianna Bocco with Jessica Lacy at ICM Partners, Adrienne Becker and Roger Clark for Level Forward.
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ABOUT IFC FILMS
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of 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) and digital platforms.
Current releases include Sam Pollard’s acclaimed documentary MLK/FBI and Chad Hartigan’s LITTLE FISH. Some of the company’s successes over the years have included BOYHOOD, THE DEATH OF STALIN, FRANCES HA, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, THE BABADOOK, TOUCHING THE VOID, 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS, CHE, SUMMER HOURS, ANTICHRIST, IN THE LOOP, JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK, TINY FURNITURE, and CARLOS. IFC Films has worked with established and breakout filmmakers, including Steven Soderbergh, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Miranda July, Lars Von Trier, Gaspar Noé, Todd Solondz, Cristian Mungiu, Susanne Bier, Olivier Assayas, Jim McKay, Larry Fessenden, Paul Dano, Gregg Araki, Jacques Rivette, Claude Chabrol, Abdellatif Kechiche, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Abbas Kiarostami, Alfonso Cuaron, Noah Baumbach, Lena Dunham, Ethan Hawke and many more. IFC Films is a sister label to IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.