‘Citadel’, the Irish award-winning film from first-time writer/director Ciaran Foy has been jointly bought for US distribution by Cinedigm and New Video.
Cinedigm will begin distributing the horror feature film in US cinemas this autumn, with New Video set to distribute on digital, DVD/Blu-ray and on-demand platforms from early next year.
‘Citadel’ is the companies’ first scripted acquisition under their recently announced partnership to acquire and distribute independent films.
Speaking about the deal, Foy, a graduate from the National Film School of Ireland, said: “I'm absolutely thrilled that will have US distribution with Cinedigm and New Video. I have always had the audience in mind when creating this feral little movie, and to have the opportunity for it to play on such a vast stage is exhilarating.”
The Ireland-set horror film last week picked up the Midnighter Audience Award at the SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas, where it received its world premiere.
The psychological horror film is an Irish-Scottish co-production from Dublin’s Bl!nder Films and Glasgow’s Sigma Films. It was produced by Katie Holly of Bl!nder and Brian Coffey from Sigma.
Executive Producers are Gillian Berrie, Kieron J. Walsh and David Mackenzie, while the film stars Aneurin Barnard (We'll Take Manhattan) in the lead role of Tommy, alongside James Cosmo (Braveheart, Troy) and Wunmi Mosuka (I am Slave).
Bob Fiorella, COO of Cinedigm Entertainment Group said: “Citadel is a disturbing, powerful and altogether original psychological horror film.
“Garnering remarkable reviews for first-time writer/director Ciaran Foy, we believe ‘Citadel’ is poised to find a wide US audience and we are unbelievably proud to make it the first scripted acquisition in our new joint venture.”
Susan Margolin, Co-President of New Video, was equally enthusiastic describing Foy as “a rising star with incredible talent.”
She added: “Citadel is a cinematic achievement supported by a stellar cast, and a real treat for horror fans. We’re excited to bring Ciaran’s exceptional debut to market.”
Producers Katie Holly and Brian Coffey added: “We are thrilled that Cinedigm/New Video have picked up Citadel for the US. They have such a vastly experienced team and their enthusiasm for the film was evident from the get-go, we can’t wait to work with them on the US release.”
The film, funded by the Irish Film Board, Creative Scotland, section 481 and UK tax credit, tells of an agoraphobic father who enlists a priest to save his daughter from a gang of twisted children.
Watch the trailer here:
CITADEL trailer from Bl!nder Films on Vimeo.
