TIFF 2010

TIFF Faves Get US Distribution: Insidious, Submarine & More

by Alex Billington
September 15, 2010

The buzz is out there. That was a bit cheesy, but I'm very happy to report great news regarding sales of two of my favorite films at the Toronto Film Festival that needed distributors. The first is Richard Ayoade's Submarine, the quirky indie comedy that we fell in love with a few days ago. Deadline says The Weinstein Company paid around $1 million for the film and will be releasing it in 2011, so keep your eyes out for that one. Earlier in the fest, TWC picked up Sarah's Key and Dirty Girl, but I haven't heard much buzz on those. The other big sale was of James Wan's Insidious, which premiered last night and I wrote a rave review for.

Deadline reports that Insidious was bought for "7-figures" by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, which means Sony Pictures or Screen Gems (more likely) will release the film. As I predicted, the film ended up in a "marathon bargaining session following the screening" and will be getting a guaranteed theatrical release. Both Submarine and Insidious are two of my faves from TIFF and I'm so glad they got distribution this quickly, as they're great films that I was already planning to support and push as much as I could. Each one has something unique to offer, but in my eyes they'll both be two gems coming out of this fall festival.

Other big sales in Toronto include Robert Redford's The Conspirator (via Deadline), the historical drama with an ensemble cast about Lincoln's shooting, which Roadside Attractions/Lionsgate picked up and will be releasing in the spring of 2011 (which puts it out of the Oscar running this year). I haven't seen it, but heard it was a good historical flick. Also, Anchor Bay Films picked up Shawn Ku's Beautiful Boy (via Deadline), the school shooting drama starring Maria Bello and Michael Sheen, that I actually haven't really heard much about. Additionally, Denis Villeneuve's Incendies was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics (also Deadline).

So far this fest has been very interesting for me, honestly a bit more unexciting than previous years, but like I said, I'm glad to see that two of my favorite flicks will get distribution, because that means all of you guys will be able to see them eventually and that's the most important part. We'll continue to keep you updated on news from the Toronto Film Festival, as there are still a few more days left in this fest before it wraps up.

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