Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. theatrical, digital and video rights to new Irish documentary Elián ahead of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, and plan to release the film beginning in New York and Los Angeles on May 19th.
Elián, which is produced by Belfast-based Fine Point Films, is co-directed by US journalist Tim Golden and Dublin filmmaker Ross McDonnell, and executive produced by Academy Award®-winner Alex Gibney.
Elián is the remarkable story of Elián Gonzalez, a five-year-old Cuban boy plucked from the Florida Straits, and how the fight for his future changed the course of U.S.-Cuba relations. Featuring powerful personal testimony, candid interviews, and an extraordinary news archive, this riveting documentary recounts Elián’s remarkable rescue on Thanksgiving Day in November 1999, after his mother and 10 others fleeing Cuba perished at sea. The custody battle between the boy’s Cuban father and his Miami-based relatives, and the momentous political fight that came to surround it changed the course of history.
EliánTrevor Birney (Bobby Sands: 66 Days) produced the film through his Fine Point Films banner. Amy Entelis, executive vice president for talent and content development for CNN Worldwide is an executive producer for Elián. Courtney Sexton, vice president for CNN Films, is supervising producer. It is financed by CNN Films, Northern Ireland Screen, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/Irish Film Board, and BBC Storyville.
The deal was brokered by Nolan Gallagher, founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures, and by Jonathan Ford with Content Media Corporation on behalf of the filmmakers.
Many of us remember how our country was captivated by the story of Elián Gonzalez. We know audiences will find it extraordinarily timely to today’s political climate.
Nolan Gallagher, CEO – Gravitas Ventures
CNN Films had previously brokered a deal to be the worldwide broadcaster and mobile premiere presenter and has exclusive rights for U.S. television. The network also holds rights to broadcast the film in Canada. Amazon Prime Video will be the exclusive VOD platform for Elián in the U.S.