IFC Midnight Nabs Haunted House Thriller 'The Pact'

Hours after IFC Films acquired Josh Radnor’s “Liberal Arts,” IFC Midnight has purchased North American rights to Midnight section fave “The Pact.”

Based on director Nicholas McCarthy’s 2011 Sundance short of the same title, McCarthy’s debut feature is a haunted-house tale about a young girl (Caity Lotz) who returne home to attend her much-despised mother’s funeral.

The film also stars Casper Van Dien, Haley Hudson, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Sam Ball, and Agnes Bruckner. The film was produced by Preferred Content’s Ross M. Dinerstein, and executive produced by Jamie Carmichael at Content as part of a new multi-film financing deal between Preferred Content and Content Film.

“Nicholas McCarthy makes a bold directorial debut here, and turns the vintage haunted house story into a modern and terrifying film," Sundance Selects/IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring said. "McCarthy also offers up an exciting young cast led by Caity Lotz who, deservedly so, has been one of the breakout stars of this year’s festival.  It’s also great to see Casper Van Dien here.”

The deal was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films, and Jeff Deutchman, Director of Acquisitions, with Kevin Iwashina and Christine D'Souza of Preferred Content along with Rick Kwak of Content Media Corporation on behalf of the filmmakers.  Content handles international sales and will screen the film at the upcoming Berlin market.