We are very happy to announce, that during Cannes Film Festival, Arrow Films have acquired the rights for UK and Ireland for feature documentary, MAGNUS.
Acquisitions Director for Arrow Films, Tom Stewart says: “We´re delighted to be continuing our long relationship with our friends at TrustNordisk to bring such an amazing human triumph story that will truly fascinate both the millions who love the game and a whole new audience who will discover the incredible world of Chess at the highest level!”
Head of Sales at TrustNordisk, Susan Wendt adds: “We are happy to have Arrow on board for MAGNUS and I am sure that they will do a great job to create awareness of the fascinating and unique talent of Magnus.”
UK/Irish release will be late 2016/early 2017.
Also during Cannes, MAGNUS was acquired by Pretty Pictures for France. President for Pretty Picures, James Velaise stated in ScreenDaily: “Magnus is an extraordinary personality. Having been familiar with Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, we think Magnus is in that league. The documentary is absolutely riveting.”
In the beginning of the festival, it was announced by ScreenDaily thatFilmRise acquired the US rights for the film and it has also been sold to several other territories after it´s amazing reception at Tribeca Film Festival in April. Germany and Austria (NFP), Hong Kong (EDKO films Ltd.), former Yugoslavia (Discovery Film) and Benelux (September Film Rights), TV-rights to Israel (Yes DBS Satellite Service).
MAGNUS is the incredible story of Magnus Carlsen, who in 2004, when he was 13 years-old he made a decision: he would become the World Chess Champion. It is a character driven drama that is bound to engage the non-chess players, as well as the over 600 million people who play chess all over the world.
The now 25-year-old Magnus Carlsen will defend his title against the Russian, Sergey Karjakin and compete for a prize of over $1 million at the World Chess Championship 2016, which is to be held in New York City in November.
MAGNUS is produced by Sigurd Mikal Karoliussen for Moskus Film in co-production with VGTV, Nordisk Film Production and Main Island Production with support from The Norwegian Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond and Fritt Ord.
For more information, download of stills ect. please click here.