EXCLUSIVE: Streaming service Shudder has acquired all rights to Australian slasher feature Penny Lane Is Dead for the US, Canada, the Caribbean Basin, the UK and Ireland.
The first feature from writer-director Mia-Kate Russell, the film debuted at last October’s Adelaide Film Festival and will get its North American premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20 before launching on Shudder on August 28.
Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn, Tahlee Fereday, Alexandra Jensen, Bailey Spalding, Steve Le Marquand, Fletcher Humphrys and Ben O’Toole star in the 1980s-set story of the 17-year-old Penny, whose celebration of getting into college spirals into a night of bloodshed and revenge.
The film is also the first feature from Sanctuary Pictures, the new production arm of Umbrella Entertainment, which produces with Buffalo Media in association with Cyan Films. Julie Ryan, Ari Harrison, Andre Lima and Carly Maple produced. Upgrade represented the filmmakers in the deal with Shudder.
Russell commented: “It’s exhilarating that my feature directorial debut is being released by Shudder, one of the most fearless and bold distributors out there. The Shudder team has such a keen understanding of genre films, and are the perfect partners to unleash this powerful film with audiences.”
Shudder’s senior vice president of acquisitions and production Emily Gotto added: “Mia-Kate Russell’s debut feature is a fierce slasher immersed in the nostalgia of 80s horror and laced with dark comedy and rage. We’re delighted to introduce her film to the Shudder line up.”
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