Dirty Films (Carol, Mrs. America), the production company of Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Coco Francini, has signed a first-look film and television deal with Searchlight Pictures.
Under the deal, Searchlight will develop and produce features with the production company, as well as series for streaming under Searchlight Television. The partnership follows Searchlight’s work with Dirty Films on Sweetsick, a new drama led by Blanchett which marks the directorial debut of Alice Birch. Notably, it also marks a full-circle moment for Blanchett, whose international feature debut, the Bruce Beresford-helmed Paradise Road, was distributed by the studio.
“Dirty Films has consistently championed distinctive voices and ambitious storytelling,” said Searchlight President Matthew Greenfield. “Cate, Andrew and Coco are singular creative partners and we’re thrilled to continue our commitment to filmmaker-driven cinema with this collaboration.”
The Dirty Films principals 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.”
Previously working on films like James Vanderbilt’s Truth and Todd Haynes’ Carol, both starring Blanchett, Dirty Films has also produced the Oscar winner’s series Mrs. America and Stateless for FX and Netflix, respectively. In addition to Sweetsick, they recently wrapped on Jenny Suen’s Peaches and the Zellner Brothers’ Alpha Gang. Other recent credits include Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy, Christos Nikou’s Fingernails, Noora Niasari’s Shayda, as well as the award-winning podcast Climate of Change and the VR interactive experience Evolver.
Alongside USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Dirty Films spearheads the Proof of Concept Accelerator Program supporting women, trans and non-binary filmmakers. Blanchett also leads the Displacement Film Fund empowering refugee and displaced filmmakers.
On March 20, Searchlight Pictures releases Ready or Not 2: Here I Come from Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Other upcoming releases for the specialty studio include Broken Lizard’s Super Troopers 3 on August 7 and Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine on November 6.
Paul Hoffman negotiated the deal for Searchlight Pictures, with CAA negotiating on Dirty Films’ behalf.
English (US) ·