Tribeca Film picks up “Side By Side”

February 13, 2012 by Adam Benzine

U.S. distributor Tribeca Film has acquired North American rights to Side by Side, a documentary produced and presented by Keanu Reeves that looks at the transition from traditional film to digital technology.

The doc sees Reeves explore the development of cinema and the impact of the change from film stock to digital filmmaking, via interviews with Hollywood directors such as James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh and Lars Von Trier.

The doc is directed by Chris Kenneally and the deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by director of acquisitions Nick Savva, and on behalf of the filmmakers by producer Justin Szlasa and attorney Marc Simon of Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard.

A summer release is planned for the film, which is having its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival this month. In addition to Tribeca Film’s multi-platform roll-out, the filmmakers plan a broadcast premiere early next year and will bring the film to college campuses and film schools.

“Keanu Reeves has long distinguished himself with compelling and original performances, but with Side By Side he demonstrates another dimension: remarkable passion and thoughtfulness about the state of film itself,” said Nancy Schafer, exec VP of Tribeca Enterprises, in a statement.

“Chris Kenneally has created a fantastic resource about the film medium and we are anticipating a great dialogue throughout this year as audiences experience Side by Side.”

“Cinema is at a tipping point,” added Kenneally. “Digital has challenged, and in some ways completely overturned, a process of making movies on photochemical film that has been a tradition for over 100 years.

“Side by Side is an intimate conversation between Keanu and the top professionals in the industry about this revolution and its impact.”

Tags: Berlin International Film Festival, Berlinale, Chirs Kenneally, Keanu Reeves, Nancy Schafer, Side by Side, Tribeca Enterprises, Tribeca Film

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