Benson Jack Anthony in ‘EMO the Musical’.
Writer-director Neil Triffett’s EMO the Musical is said to be poised to break even after being acquired by Netflix.
The streaming giant has bought exclusive, worldwide SVOD rights (excluding Australia/NZ) to the high school comedy, which stars Benson Jack Anthony, Jordan Hare, Rahart Adams, Jon Prasida and Lucy Barrett.
Producer Lee Matthews said: “The Netflix deal as negotiated by XYZ Films in the U.S. will enable me to pay off the film’s debts, albeit over a three year period, so thanks to the generous production grant from Screen Australia, the Australian government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria’s assigned production investment, the film will be able to break even.”
EMO the Musical premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2016, before heading to Berlinale in 2017. The film went on to receive a limited theatrical release in Australia via Bonsai Films, which saw it take $40,640, and was picked up by Madman for home distribution. Australian broadcast and SVOD rights are yet to be signed.
Triffett said Netflix was the perfect platform for the film, which he had always hoped would appeal to a wider audience.
“Particularly because it is a global release, I’m excited to reach our followers around the world, from Berlin to Brazil, who might not be able to access the film as easily otherwise,” he said.
“The film and its themes about identity and difference are most relevant to young people, but they’re not necessarily the kind of audience who watch films at the cinema these days, so Netflix will allow them to access it more easily. We’re also hoping that older audiences who get the film’s offbeat humour, will be able to stumble upon the film along the way. I feel our film and Netflix’s already awesome collection will complement each other well.”
The film will premiere on Netflix February 1.