Australian comedy The Wedding Party will have a limited US theatrical run after securing a deal with Mousetrap Films.
The small US release, set for 2013, will be through Mousetrap’s recently launched Film Festival Flix program – an innovative method of bringing film festival favourites without a distribution deal to a wider audience.
Film Festival Flix – a ‘mini-festival’ – is held in cinemas on one-night, once-a-month, in more than 25 cinemas in more than 15 cities. Three films are screened (a documentary, a signature feature, and a late night genre picture); a short Q&A is held with the filmmakers; and DVDs of the film are available to buy on-site. The film is also distributed simultaneously on other platforms such as VOD, in-store retailers and on TV/cable.
Australian drama Face to Face, directed by Michael Rymer, was also released in similar fashion in the US through Film Festival Flix.
The Wedding Party, which stars Josh Lawson and Isabel Lucas, had a long festival journey, picking up multiple awards including most popular Australian film at the 2010 Melbourne International Film Festival. Since then, the film has been re-cut by Oscar-nominated editor Jill Bilcock.
The film will be released in Australian cinemas on October 11 by new distribution company, LABEL (founded by Tait Brady) followed by a DVD and VOD release through Madman Entertainment.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.