EXCLUSIVE: Heavyweight, the debut feature from Nigerian-Lebanese filmmaker Christopher M. Anthony, has been acquired by BUFF Studios for UK-Ireland theatrical release.
BUFF Studios is the distribution arm of Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe’s British Urban Film Festival (BUFF). The film was acquired directly from the producers and will be released in UK-Ireland cinemas in early 2026.
The London-shot boxing drama played earlier this year at BUFF, where it won the award for best UK feature. It made its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in London earlier this year as the opening film.
Heavyweight focuses on the mental state of a heavyweight fighter and his cornermen backstage as fight time approaches. Jordan Bolger and Sienna Guillory also star.
It is produced out of the UK by Blackwater Pictures and Silver Milk Productions, and fully financed by Blackwater. Kevin Harvey, co-founder and producer at Blackwater, described the film as “a tense and emotional look at the hidden pressures behind the scenes in elite sports”.
Recent BUFF Studios theatrical releases include Ireke: Rise Of The Maroons and Magazine Dreams.
“As the film industry continues to evolve, BUFF Studios remains focused on supporting distinctive, independent voices through its producer-led P&A model. Our approach ensures that films like Heavyweight receive tailored theatrical support, connecting impactful stories with audiences and exhibitors in a way that reflects today’s changing distribution landscape.”
According to BUFF Studios, its distribution model is to put a fixed, upfront cap on P&A costs up to £20,000 to avoid hidden costs for producers, which BUFF said it will not recoup before profit splits begin.
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