Relativity Media has acquired North American and U.K. distribution rights to Sundance sensation “Catfish” and will distribute the indie film through Universal via its Rogue Pictures label sometime later this year.
Directed by newcomers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the documentary explores 21st Century communication, revealing the bond formed between two young lovers who talk mainly through tools like social networking.
The film caught buzz two weeks ago during screenings at Sundance. Film rep CAA conducted screenings in L.A. after the festival, with Brett Ratner championing the film to Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh and Tucker Tooley (all three will be listed as executive producers).
Andrew Jarekci and Marc Smerling, who directed and produced “Capturing the Friedmans,” produced “Catfish.”
“This is a movie that is both entertaining, profound and speaks directly to the evolving nature of relationships in a world dominated by social media,” Kavanaugh said in a statement. “Catfish is exactly the kind of film experience we intended to bring to audiences when we re-launched and expanded the Rogue brand.”
The documentary follows Schulman’s New York photographer brother as he forms a relationship with a woman primarily through social networking.
