Séville International to launch sales at TIFF

Montréal/Toronto/London– August 18, 2014 – Entertainment One’s boutique sales arm Séville International announces that it has acquired international rights to the New Zealand feature film THE DARK HORSE from Four Knights Film.
 
Séville International will handle international rights, outside Australia/New Zealand, and is preparing to launch sales of the film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
 
From writer/director James Napier Robertson, THE DARK HORSE is a provocative, emotionally-charged drama about a man who searches for the courage to lead, despite his own adversities - finding purpose and hope in passing on his gift to the children in his community.
 
THE DARK HORSE stars Cliff Curtis (Whale Rider, Training Day, Sunshine) in a career defining performance, alongside James Rolleston (Boy), Kirk Torrance and talented newcomer, Wayne Hapi. Tom Hern produced the film for Four Knights Film with funding coming from the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air and Arama Pictures, and financing from Fulcrum Finances. Timothy White and Cliff Curtis served as executive producers on the film, while James Napier Robertson and Jim Marbrook co-produced the film. 
 
THE DARK HORSE recently opened the New Zealand International Film Festival to standing ovations and rave reviews, being heralded as “the next New Zealand classic” and "one of the greatest NZ films ever made.”  The film is just over two weeks into its general release in New Zealand, where it has reached No.1 at the Box Office and already grossed over $1M.
 
“On the heels of an incredible premiere in New Zealand, we’re excited to add THE DARK HORSE to the Séville International lineup to present to our partners at TIFF,” Anick Poirier, VP International Sales, Séville International.  “The moving performances and powerful universal story made for some competitive bidding but I knew we needed to have it the moment I saw it. As we build and broaden our portfolio with powerful films from around the world, we’re truly getting into our groove.”
 
“We are thrilled to be partnering up with the talented, passionate team at Séville International ahead of the launch of THE DARK HORSE in Toronto,” said Hern. “If the audience response there is anything like it has been at home, this could be the beginning of a full gallop down the home straight by The Dark Horse.”
 
Launched in April 2014 and following an incredibly successful Cannes Film Festival, Séville International continues to build on the company’s success with high-quality independent films from Québec and Canada as well as around the world. Anick Poirier, Vice President International Sales, Séville International and her team handle a strong line-up of independent arthouse films with crossover potential and award pedigree that includes the company’s recent critically-acclaimed award winners INCENDIES, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, ANIMAL KINGDOM and MOMMY from Xavier Dolan.  
 The deal was negotiated by Tom Hern for Four Knights Film with eOne Films International President Harold van Lier for Séville International.
 
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content.  The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Spain, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea.  Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.
Séville International is the company’s Montreal-based international film distribution boutique specializing in strong independent films with crossover potential and arthouse films with award pedigree from Québec, Canada and around the world.
 
About The NZ Film Commission
The New Zealand Film Commission invests in the development and production of New Zealand films and supports a wide range of professional development programmes aimed at building skills within the wider screen industry and helping talented filmmakers connect offshore. It administers the Government's incentive schemes and promotes and markets New Zealand films and the screen sector here and overseas.
 
About Four Knights Film
Four Knights Film is an award-winning production company headed up by Tom Hern and James Napier Robertson.  The company is based in Auckland, New Zealand.
For information on Four Knights, head to www.4knightsfilm.com
 
For more information:
Jackie Rubin
Entertainment One
jrubin@entonegroup.com
416.979.7256