Submarine Entertainment has entered an agreement with HanWay Films to bring award-winning documentary “Being Elmo” to global audiences. The documentary tells the story of Kevin Clash, the creator of the beloved Sesame Street character, Elmo.
The film won the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, as well as an award for Most Life-Affirming Documentary at the Traverse City Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Nantucket Film Festival
The Constance Marks-directed film will open at the IFC Center in New York on October 21.
Full release below:
August 9, 2011 – New York City – Submarine Entertainment announced today that it has entered into an agreement with HANWAY FILMS to handle Worldwide Sales for Constance Marks’ Award Winning Film BEING ELMO. The deal was negotiated by Josh Braun & David Koh of Submarine Entertainment on behalf of the Director & Producer along with Thorsten Schumacher, Managing Director of HanWay Films and Fabien Westerhoff, Director of Sales & Distribution for HanWay Films. BEING ELMO was Directed by Constance Marks. Produced by Constance Marks, James Miller and Corinne LaPook. Music Composed by Joel Goodman. Cinematography by James Miller. Editor & Co-Director Philip Shane. Editor Justin Weinstein. The film will be released domestically in Theaters and will open in the major markets and qualify for Academy Award consideration in the Fall. Pending deals for US Television, DVD, streaming and other distribution rights will be announced shortly. The film was previously sold by Submarine Entertainment to Mongrel Media in Canada, Madman Entertainment in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and Jaguar Entertainment for Worldwide Airlines.
BEING ELMO premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize and most recently screened at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival. It has played to sold-out audiences at festivals across the USA. Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.
Constance Marks stated, “We are very excited to be working with our new partners, HANWAY FILMS, to bring BEING ELMO to a global audience.”
Thorsten Schumacher and Fabien Westerhoff of HanWay Films stated, “We are thrilled to be involved with such a wonderful, heart-warming film. The captivating story of the man behind one of Sesame Street’s most adored characters will touch audiences everywhere.”
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