Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Banana Split,” a teen comedy starring Hannah Marks, Liana Liberato and Dylan Sprouse, the distributor announced Tuesday.
The debut film from veteran indie cinematographer Benjamin Kasulke (“Safety Not Guaranteed,” “Laggies”) will open in theaters and on VOD and digital on March 27. UPHE Content Group also acquired the international rights.
“Banana Split” follows two teenage girls over the course of a summer who develop a perfect, kindred spirit friendship with one another. The only problem is, one of them is dating the other’s ex-boyfriend.
Marks wrote and executive produced the film with Joey Power, and the comedy also stars Jessica Hecht, Jacob Batalon, Haley Ramm and Addison Riecke.
“Banana Split” won the Special Jury Prize at the Independent Film Festival Of Boston 2019, the Jury Prize for Best Comedy Feature at the Woods Hole Film Festival, and multiple awards at the Oceanside International Film Festival 2019 including best picture.
“I am honored to have Banana Split shared with the world thanks to our distribution partners at Vertical and UPHE Content Group,” Kasulke said in a statement. “After years working in independent film, I know firsthand how much of a rarity it can be to have a debut film seen by audiences in the cinema and beyond. The teams at American High, LD Entertainment, United Talent Agency Sales, and myself could not be happier about Banana Split having a chance to find its audience out in the world.”
“Banana Split” was produced by Jeremy Garelick, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Will Phelps, Sam Slater and Glen Trotiner. Executive producers are Hannah Marks, Joey Power, Jennifer Monroe, Michael Glassman and Rowan Riley. The film was produced by LD Entertainment, American High and Burn Later Productions.
Marks is represented by UTA, Untitled Entertainment, Circle of Confusion and Shelter PR. Sprouse is represented by UTA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Herring PR. Liberato is represented by Innovative Artists, Management 360 and The Lede Company. Hecht is represented by Innovative Artists. Batalon is represented by Paradigm. Ramm is represented by Innovative Artists and Presse Public Relations. Kasulke is represented by UTA.
The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and Josh Spector at Vertical and UTA on behalf of the filmmakers.