Searchlight Pictures Signs First-Look Deal With Cate Blanchett’s Dirty Films
Disney’s Searchlight Pictures has signed a first-look film and television deal with Dirty Films, which is the team behind the FX series, “Mrs America” and the ABC series, “Stateless”.
Dirty Films is an independent film, television and podcast production company headed by partners Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Coco Francini. We intentionally align with projects that range in genre and size, resulting in partnerships with both known and undiscovered filmmakers and artists from around the world. We bring a hands-on approach to visual storytelling, prioritising collaboration with creative partners. As creators ourselves, we are passionate about maintaining an artist-first environment that embraces innovation in the production process, providing the space to experiment and refine, resulting in a body of quality work that is personal, impactful, original and unexpected.
This deal will allow Searchlight Pictures to get the right of first refusal to any projects, including films and shows, being developed by Dirty Films. Should Searchlight Pictures decline a project, Dirty Films can shop that project to other buyers.
Disney’s FX Productions already had a first-look deal with Dirty Films, which it signed in 2020, but this extends and expands that contract.
Searchlight Pictures president Matthew Greenfield said in a statement regarding the new deal:
“Dirty Films has consistently championed distinctive voices and ambitious storytelling. Cate, Andrew and Coco are singular creative partners and we’re thrilled to continue our commitment to filmmaker-driven cinema with this collaboration.”
Dirty Films 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.”
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