ScreenDaily is reporting that UK sales company WestEnd Films has acquired the rights to sell Ross Whitaker’s documentary on Irish boxing champion Katie Taylor, Katie, to international audiences. They will market the film under their WeLove banner, which is focused on content for female audiences.
Saviours and When Ali Came To Ireland director Whitaker returns to the boxing world for this new documentary charting the rise of Olympic gold-medalist Katie Taylor as she furthers her career into professional boxing. Bray native Taylor is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish sportspersons and was instrumental in getting Woman’s Boxing added to the Olympics in 2012. During her amateur career Taylor claimed 19 major medals, including an Olympic gold in London in 2012.
After less than a year as a professional Katie Taylor added two World titles to the 5 she had already won in the amateur ranks by defeating Anahi Sanchez for the WBA belt before an estimated 50,000 fans at Principality Stadium in Cardiff last October, before uniting that belt with the IBF one by defeating Victoria Noelia Bustos in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in April.
The documentary is produced by Whitaker and Aideen O’Sullivan (When Ali Came To Ireland) for True Films and Venom with Andrew Freedman (His & Hers, Mom and Me) as Executive Producer. Funding comes from Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, RTÉ, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and Wildcard Distribution.
Katie premiered at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, where it received a rapturous ovation and won Best Irish Documentary. Wildcard Distribution will release Katie in Irish and UK cinemas this summer.
The film offers an astonishing and intimate portrait of a woman with immense talent, raw ambition and strong family ties – a powerful role model for young women worldwide.
Maya Amsellem, Managing Director – WestEnd Films