Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber have acquired the U.S. rights to Matt Tyrnauer’s “Studio 54,” it was announced Monday.
The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and also recently played at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. The deal was finalized during the Cannes Film Festival with A&E IndieFilms.
Tyrnauer produced “Studio 54” with Altimeter Films partner Corey Reeser and Passion Pictures’ John Battsek. Executive producers are A&E’s Molly Thompson, Robert Sharenow and Elaine Frontain Bryant alongside Andrew Ruhemann at Passion Pictures.
The film tells the story of Studio 54, a nightclub that was only open for 33 months in the late 1970s in New York City. Using footage and stills, Tyrnauer takes audiences through the historic rise and fall of the club.
Tyrnauer previously directed “Valentino: The Last Emperor,” “Citizen Jane: Battle for the City,” and “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood.”
“I’m extremely pleased to be working with Zeitgeist and A&E IndieFilms on the release of ‘Studio 54.’ I’ve long admired their taste, and their discerning eye is perennially among the best in independent cinema today,” said Tyrnauer. “‘Studio 54’ and Zeitgeist are a perfect pair for this theatrical odyssey into the very different world, not that long ago, when a disco swept the world and changed the culture. I’m so pleased they are providing a platform for me to tell Ian and Steve’s remarkable story.”
The deal was negotiated by Richard Lorber, CEO of Kino Lorber, with Cinetic Media on behalf of A&E IndieFilms and Altimeter Films.
“Studio 54” will be released in theaters in the fall of 2018 followed by an awards campaign and VOD release.