By Brent Lang
According To The variety Searchlight Pictures has signed a first-look film and television deal with Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Coco Francini’s Dirty Films. Under the pact, the specialty studio will develop and produce feature-length motion pictures with the production company, as well as series for streaming under Searchlight Television.
“Dirty Films has consistently championed distinctive voices and ambitious storytelling,” said Matthew Greenfield, president of Searchlight Pictures, in a statement. “Cate, Andrew and Coco are singular creative partners and we’re thrilled to continue our commitment to filmmaker-driven cinema with this collaboration.”
Dirty Films’ Blanchett, Upton and Francini added, “We are honored to partner with Searchlight Pictures, whose passion for cinema and deeply collaborative ethos align seamlessly with our own. Together with Matthew Greenfield and his exceptional team, we look forward to championing bold, entertaining, and provocative storytelling across film and television for audiences worldwide.”
Blanchett made her international feature debut, “Paradise Road,” with Searchlight. She has previously appeared in such Searchlight releases as Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley” and Richard Eyre’s “Notes on a Scandal,” for which she was nominated for an Oscar. Blanchett has earned two Academy Awards and her credits include “Blue Jasmine,” “The Aviator,” “Carol” and “Tár.” Searchlight Pictures and Dirty Films recently wrapped production on Alice Birch‘s “Sweetsick.” It marks Birch’s directorial debut and stars Blanchett.
The first look deal was negotiated by Paul Hoffman for Searchlight Pictures. CAA represented Dirty Films in the talks.
Dirty Films recently wrapped Jenny Suen’s “Peaches” and the Zellner Brother’s “Alpha Gang.” Recent credits include Warwick Thornton’s “The New Boy,” Christos Nikou’s “Fingernails,” as well as the award-winning podcast “Climate of Change” and the VR interactive experience “Evolver.”
