Transmission Films has nabbed all Australian and New Zealand rights to The Queen of Ireland.
The documentary, directed by Conor Horgan and produced by Blinder Films’ Katie Holly and Ailish Bracken, tells the story of of Panti Bliss, the drag queen sensation who is credited with helping to make Ireland the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by popular vote.
The Queen of Ireland had a theatrical release in the UK and Ireland earlier this year through Universal Pictures, where it had the highest opening ever for an Irish documentary.
The film will have its Australian premiere next month at the 63rd Sydney Film Festival. Director Conor Horgan, and Rory O'Neill are official guests of the festival and will present the screenings.
“I'm thrilled to be working with Transmission Films on the release of The Queen of Ireland", producer Katie Holly said.
"They have the passion and enthusiasm to share Panti’s story with audiences of all ages in Australia and New Zealand.”
The film was funded by the Irish Film Board, RTE and through crowd-funding platform Indiegogo.
The deal was negotiated at Cannes by Andrew Herwitz, president of the Film Sales Company, on behalf of the filmmakers, with Andrew Mackie for Transmission Films.
Transmission is planning a theatrical release late 2016.