EXCLUSIVE: London-based documentary specialist Dogwoof has acquired worldwide gross sales rights to Mstyslav Chernov’s documentary function 20 Days in Mariupol following its award-winning bow at Sheffield DocFest.
The doc picked up the Tim Hetherington Award at Sheffield, the most recent award it has clinched throughout its expansive pageant run. The movie debuted at Sundance, the place it gained the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary. A co-production between The Associated Press and FRONTLINE, the doc additionally gained Best Film at DocuDays, Best Director at DocEdge, and filmmakers Chernov, Vasilisa Stepanenko, Evgeniy Maloletka, and Lori Hinnant gained the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service reporting for his or her work on the doc.
A local Ukrainian and Associated Press journalist, 20 Days In Mariupol marks Chernov’s documentary function debut. The pic presents a first-person account of the 20 days he and his AP colleagues Maloletka and Stepanenko spent documenting Russia’s invasion of Mariupol, Ukraine. The doc captures stunning photos of Russian troops concentrating on civilians, killing kids, the aged, and 1000’s of others. Among the atrocities was the Russian bombing of a maternity hospital.
The movie additionally reveals the challenges Chernov confronted attempting to add the footage he and his colleagues have been taking. Sometimes he might use a satellite tv for pc cellphone; different instances Ukrainian navy officers would information him to one of many only a few locations in Mariupol nonetheless with an web connection.
Dogwoof will deal with all gross sales on the pic, excluding North America, the place PBS Distribution has acquired rights.
“We are honored to bring 20 Days in Mariupol to audiences internationally,” mentioned Cleo Veger, Dogwoof’s Head of Sales. “Mstyslav Chernov and the AP-Frontline team have made an incredible film that highlights the vital role of journalists. The courage of the team is awe-inspiring and makes for essential viewing.”
AP Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Julie Pace added: “20 Days in Mariupol is a testament to the value of eyewitness journalism. We are pleased to work with Dogwoof to bring this important film to audiences across the globe.”
The deal was negotiated by Cliff Decatrel, Head of Development for The Associated Press, and Veger.
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