Dimension Films announced that they have acquired North American rights to distribute the underwater thriller 47 METERS DOWN. The project, which is being described as GRAVITY but underwater, will be directed by British filmmaker Johannes Roberts (STORAGE 24). The story revolves around two sisters who become trapped at the bottom of the ocean when a diving expedition to observe sharks goes horribly wrong. When the cable attaching the observation cage to the boat breaks and the cage sinks to the bottom of the ocean, the sisters must figure out a way to get back to safety battling injuries, lack of oxygen, and, worst of all, blood thirsty, great white sharks. The film is being produced by Mark Lane and James Harris under their The Tea Shop and Film Company banner. Altitude Film Sales is handling worldwide sales.
"This script really caught my eye with its tension and adventure. I look forward to working with Johannes to bring audiences a very unique edge of your seat thrill-ride," said co-chairman Bob Weinstein.
"I feel privileged to be working alongside a company like Dimension whose understanding of the genre is unparalleled," said Roberts. "Together I think we are going to give the audience a film going experience unlike anything they have ever had before."
The deal for 47 METERS DOWN was negotiated by Robert Walak, President/MD Europe, Production, Acquisitions and TV and Michal Steinberg, EVP, Business/Legal Affairs & Acquisitions for Dimension Films with Mike Runagall at Altitude Film Sales on behalf of the filmmakers. Overseeing production for Dimension are SVP of Production and Creative Affairs, Matthew Signer, VP of Production and Development, Keith Levine, and Walak. Roberts is repped by Phil D'Amecourt at WME. Colin Jones of Colin Jones Casting Ltd will be handling worldwide casting.
About THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY AND DIMENSION FILMS
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. During Harvey and Bob's tenure at Miramax and The Weinstein Company, they have received 348 Oscar nominations and won 82 Academy Awards.
Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; 1408; I'M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH'S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; BULLY; THE INTOUCHABLES; LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK; DJANGO UNCHAINED; QUARTET; ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH; DARK SKIES; THE SAPPHIRES; SCARY MOVIE 5; KON-TIKI; UNFINISHED SONG; FRUITVALE STATION; LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER; THE GRANDMASTER; SALINGER; 12-12-12; VAMPIRE ACADEMY . Currently in release are PHILOMENA, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM; AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and THE RAILWAY MAN. Upcoming releases include ST. VINCENT, BEGIN AGAIN, THE GIVER, FRANK MILLER'S SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR and PADDINGTON.
TWC also boasts an active television production division led by former Miramax Films Co-President of Production Meryl Poster. TWC garnered nine Emmy nominations in 2013. The Weinstein Company Television produces the reality powerhouse Project Runway, now in its 12th season on Lifetime; with its spin-off series Project Accessory and the critically-acclaimed Project Runway All Stars, hosted by Alyssa Milano. TWC recently launched Million Dollar Shoppers and completed Supermarket Superstar hosted by Stacy Keibler for Lifetime as well as Rodeo Girls for A&E. TWC is currently in production on Mob Wives Season 4 for VH1 and Welcome To Myrtle Manor Season 2 for TLC. Announced scripted projects in development include John Fusco's historical action-adventure epic Marco Polo and an adaptation of Daniel Stashower's bestselling Civil War-era spy thriller The Hour Of Peril. TWC also developed Amy Sherman Palladino's The Nanny Diaries for ABC and produced the award-winning HBO series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, directed by Anthony Minghella.
About ALTITUDE FILM ENTERTAINMENT
Altitude Film Entertainment is a UK-based vertically integrated film company launched in 2012 by Will Clarke, founder of leading UK independent producer and distributor Optimum Releasing (now Studio Canal), with Andy Mayson as joint-CEO.Altitude Film Entertainment comprises Altitude Film Production led by Will Clarke chairman and joint-CEO with Andy Mayson; Altitude Film Sales with Managing Director Mike Runagall launched in May 2012; and Altitude Film Distribution with Hamish Moseley as Head of Distribution launched in October 2013. Altitude Film Sales is handling the international sales of an exciting and eclectic slate of films including director Jalmari Helander's action-adventure Big Game, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Stevenson, Jim Broadbent and Onni Tomila, Spooks: The Greater Good based on the BAFTA-winning international hit TV series to be directed by Bharat Nalluri and starring Kit Harington, Jennifer Ehle and Peter Firth; The Last Word, a chilling supernatural horror to be directed by Simon Rumley and starring Mike Doyle and Erin Cummings; Julius Avery's Australia-set crime thriller Son of a Gun starring Ewan McGregor and Alicia Vikander; The Woods, a dark and malevolent fairy tale chiller to be directed by Corin Hardy; Catch Me Daddy from leading music video and commercials director Daniel Wolfe and Christopher Smith's high-concept family comedy, Get Santa, starring Jim Broadbent and Rafe Spall.
