The Cannes Film Market experienced an increase in deal-making activity during its final days, following a relatively quiet opening week. Several high-profile acquisitions were announced or entered negotiations.
Key Acquisitions
- A24: Acquired worldwide rights to the film Club Kid, directed by Jordan Firstman. The deal was valued at a reported $17 million and followed a bidding war.
- Netflix: Acquired worldwide rights outside France for the animated feature In Waves. The film, directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, opened Cannes Critics’ Week and is an adaptation of the graphic novel by AJ Dungo. Sales were handled by Charades. Sources also indicate Netflix is close to securing domestic rights to The Black Ball and Gentle Monster.
- Warner Bros.' Clockworks Label: Entered exclusive negotiations to acquire North American rights to The Brigands of Rattlecreek, a revenge Western directed by Park Chan-wook. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Austin Butler, Pedro Pascal, and Tang Wei.
- Amazon: Acquired majority international rights to Pumping Black, a psychological thriller directed by Mimi Cave, starring Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman. The film is set in the world of competitive cycling. CAA Media Finance and Anton co-represented world rights.
"The focus was on the quality of projects rather than the quantity of transactions."
Market Activity
Overall deal volume during the market was described by some sources as not high, with the focus reported to be on the quality of projects rather than the quantity of transactions. The late surge in activity followed a slow start in the first week of the event.