Cinedigm Acquires North American Rights to Fatima Ptacek’s Coming-of-Age Drama “Coast”

Fatima Ptacek will be coasting into a theater near you…

Cinedigm has acquired North American rights to Coast, a coming-of-age drama starring the 21-year-old half-Ecuadorian and part-Colombian American actress.

Fatima Ptacek, CoastIn addition to Ptacek, who has lent her voice as the lead role of Dora in Nickelodeon‘s animated television series Dora the Explorer since 2010, the film also stars stand-up comedian Cristela Alonzo, Melissa Leo and Ciara Bravo. 

Cinedigm plans to release Coast day-and-date in theaters and on VOD on April 8.

Set in a farming community along the Central California coast, the story revolves around 16-year-old Abby (Ptacek), who is desperate to escape the trappings of small-town life. Stuck in a loop of sameness, she refuses to believe the lives of those around her are all she has to look forward to, longing for something more. Everything changes when she falls for the lead singer of a touring rock band and must decide whether to leave her family and friends behind in search of a better life.

Jessica Hester and Derek Schweickart directed the film from a script by Cindy Kitagawa, which was based on her own childhood experiences.

Mia Frampton and Mia Xitlali round out its cast.

Hester and Schweickart produced alongside Dani Faith Leonard, Sonya Lunsford, Wendy Guerrero and Alex Cirillo.

“We are excited to partner with Cinedigm and VMI to help audiences get to know the amazing talent in Coast. It’s thanks to the nuanced performances of all of our actors that we can bring to life the complexity of Abby’s teenage heart,” said Hester and Schweickart in a joint statement. “Nobody lives in a vacuum, and through Coast we wanted to explore the tangled web of what ‘home’ means to each of us. Plus, who couldn’t use a dose of mosh pit fun?”

Coast reminds us of that exciting time when the world is a place of endless possibility, and we are searching for our place within it. Its rich, dimensional characters, including those of Latinx and Asian American heritage, are brought to life through the stellar cast,” added Cinedigm’s Chief Content Officer, Yolanda Macias. “Given its universally relatable storyline and fantastic soundtrack, we’re sure audiences will gravitate toward this rockin’ film when it releases in theaters and on digital this spring.”

New Trailer Released for Vigalondo’s Suspense Thriller “Open Windows”

It’s open (window) season for Nacho Vigalondo

A new trailer for the 37-year-old Spanish filmmaker’s latest project Open Windows has been released.

Nacho Vigalondo

Starring Elijah Wood and Sasha Grey, the film is being called a high tech Hitchcock project. It’s an internet age suspense thriller presented through the lens of a computer desktop.

Wood stars as Nick, a superfan who’s won a dinner with his favorite actress, Jill Goddard (Grey). When she refuses the date a mysterious third party offers Nick a chance to watch Jill secretly through her webcam, sparking a terrifying cat and mouse game.

The real-time thriller premiered in March at SXSW and was partially filmed at Austin’s annual Fantastic Fest where Vigalondo and Wood are frequent guests.

Fantastic Fest’s 2014 edition kicks off September 18 and will host the U.S. premiere of anthology threequel V/H/S Viral, for which Vigalondo directed a segment.

Cinedigm will peel back the curtain on Open Windows first on video on demand on October 2, before it hits theaters on November 7.

Vigalondo’s previous credits include Timecrimes, Extraterrestrial and The ABCs of Death.

Cinedigm Acquires U.S Distribution Rights to Vigalondo’s “Open Window”

Nacho Vigalondo’s first English-language feature film will officially hit U.S. theaters later this year…

Cinedigm has landed the U.S. distribution rights to the 36-year-old Spanish writer/director’s latest film Open Window, which stars Elijah Wood and Sasha Grey.

Nacho Vigalondo

The film, which premiered recently at SXSW in the Visions section of the film festival, features Wood portraying Nick, who wins an online contest to have dinner with the hottest actress on earth Jill (Grey).

When she cancels, he gets a call from a guy named Chord who offers to make it up to Nick by giving him the tools to spy on Jill from his computer for the rest of the night.

Then the truth begins to reveal itself, with Nick playing a part in a much bigger plan.

“Nacho is one of the most innovative and visionary filmmakers working today. And his talents are once again on full display in this high-tech, action-packed suspense film,” said Vincent Scordino, SVP Theatrical Releasing at Cinedigm.

Vigalondo received an Academy Award nomination and a Best Short Film Award nomination at the European Film Awards for his 2003 short film 7:35 de la Mañana.

He also directed the 2011 film Extraterrestial, a Spanish-language alien invasion horror film that he also wrote.

Cinedigm plans to release Open Window in late summer or early fall 2014.

MMA Star Silva Signs with ICM Partners

Anderson Silva is one step closer to expanding his career beyond the cage…

The 38-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion has signed with ICM Partners for worldwide representation.

Anderson Silva

Silva, hailed as the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time, is looking to go into acting and producing films and television, as well as publishing and endorsement branding.

He’s a superstar in his growing sport, reigning as the UFC middleweight championship from 2006-13 and holding the record for most consecutive wins (16) and title defenses (10).

Silva was the subject of the documentary Like Water, which won the best director prize for Pablo Corce at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and was picked up by Cinedigm.

Silva, who boasts more than five million b followers and four million Facebook fans, is managed by Hebert Mota and theatrically managed by Talize Sayegh.

Trailer Released for Bledel’s New Film “Violet & Daisy”

Alexis Bledel is Hollywood’s next hit girl… Literally!

Alexis Bledel in Violet & Daisy Violet & Daisy

Cinedigm has released the trailer for the action-comedy-drama Violet & Daisy, which stars the 31-year-old half-Argentinean American actress and Saoirse Ronan.

Bledel, who recently announced her engagement to her former Mad Men co-star Vincent Kartheiser, and Ronan star as a pair of hit girls swept up in intrigue surrounding their latest target (portrayed by James Gandolfini).

Violet & Daisy

Bledel portrays the volatile character of Violet in the film.

Precious writer Geoffrey Fletcher penned and directed the 2011 Toronto Film Fest entry.

Cinedigm is planning on a June release, but has yet to lock down a specific date.