The Orchard Falls For Sundance U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize Winner “Dina”
Feb 01, 2017
Los Angeles, CA – February 1, 2017 – The Orchard announced today that the company has acquired all North American distribution rights to Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini’s award-winning documentary Dina. Last Saturday the film was awarded the Sundance Film Festival’s U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize. Produced by Sickles and Santini, Dina’s executive producers are Christine Vachon, Robert Fernandez, Dan Levinson, Dan Cogan, Jenny Raskin and Stephanie Choate. Production companies are Moxie Pictures, Killer Films, El Peligro and Cinereach and the film was financed by Impact Partners and Stephanie Choate. The Orchard is planning a fall release for Dina.
Dina is Sickles and Santini’s follow-up to Mala Mala, winner of an Audience Award at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The film explores the unconventional romance between Dina and Scott, two people who have never been valued for their eccentricities. Poignantly captured, Dina chronicles their evolving relationship as it develops – celebrating their differences, their quest for sexual intimacy, and honoring an unforgettable heroine as she navigates the ups and downs the couple faces as they make their way towards marriage.
“Dina is a masterful film that achieves cinematic artistry – from cinematography to editing – while capturing a universal story of love, second chances, and at its core, the strength of a remarkable and unforgettable woman,” said Danielle DiGiacomo, The Orchard’s VP of Acquisitions. “The Orchard was immediately taken with it, and we cannot wait for larger audiences to embrace Dina and her world.”
“After 49 years struggling to find her place in the world, we wanted to make a movie that celebrates Dina’s differences and eccentricities,” said Santini.
Added Sickles: “We’re honored and excited to know that Dina has found a home with The Orchard. This film is born from a loving team of family, friends, and collaborators, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to share it with the world.”
The deal was negotiated by Danielle DiGiacomo for The Orchard with Josh Braun, Ben Braun and Matt Burke of Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers.
The acquisition marks the third for The Orchard at this year’s festival, following recent announcements regarding the company’s deals for The Hero and Trophy.
About The Orchard
The Orchard is a pioneering independent film, TV and music distribution company that operates in over 25 global markets. The company, founded as a music distributor in 1997, is a groundbreaking leader in the film and television distribution space, known for its innovative technology that provides filmmakers with up-to-the minute trending data and analytics on their projects. The Orchard’s film division has enjoyed such recent successes as the Academy Award-nominated documentaries Cartel Land and Life, Animated. Taika Waititi’s The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville’s The Music of Strangers, Alex Lehmann’s Blue Jay and Antonio Campos’ Christine. The company is currently in theaters with Pablo Larrain’s critically acclaimed, Golden Globe-nominated Neruda and will soon release Oren Moverman’s anticipated film The Dinner.