Maya Entertainment Gets “Between Us” with Foreign Rights

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT GETS “BETWEEN US” WITH FOREIGN RIGHTS

The Julia Stiles, Melissa George, Taye Diggs Film Hits EFM

LOS ANGELES, CA – Maya Entertainment Group, Inc., a leading independent multi-platform content and distribution company based in Los Angeles, has acquired from Slamdance Co-Founder, Dan Mirvish’s Bugeater Films, the foreign rights to “Between Us, starring Julia Stiles (“The Bourne Trilogy”), Melissa George (“30 Days of Night”), Taye Diggs (ABC’s “Private Practice”), and David Harbour (“The Green Hornet”).  The film now in post-production will be available for sale at Berlin 2012.

The film based, on the hit off-Broadway play of the same name, was penned by Dan Mirvish (“Open House”) and playwright Joe Hortua.  “Between Us” is an intense drama exploring the bittersweet friendships between two couples who meet as old friends and discover their lives are tarnished by money, success, sex and children.

“This is our first endeavor with Dan and we couldn’t be more excited,” states Elias Axume, President, International Distribution for Maya Entertainment.  “Dan has adapted the play into a truly cinematic experience; that coupled with an all-star cast, is sure to bring us success at this year’s market.”

The film is produced by Dan Mirvish, Hans C. Ritter, and Mike S. Ryan and executive produced by Brent Stiefel, with cinematography by Nancy Schreiber, ASC.  Mirvish, who also directed the film, states “I’m looking forward to working with Maya to help bring the movie to a global audience. This powerhouse cast was amazing to work with, and I know their performances will blow people away.”

The deal was negotiated by Elias Axume and Tonantzin Esparza, Director of Acquisitions, on behalf of Maya Entertainment, and ICM, which packaged the film and continues to represent North American rights. ICM represents Stiles, George, Diggs and Harbour, and Mirvish is repped by Provocation Entertainment.

ABOUT MAYA INTERNATIONAL –  www.Maya-Entertainment.com/International

Maya International Distribution, headed by Elias Axume, sells rights to its entertainment properties worldwide and has a presence at key markets including Berlin Film Festival/European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, MIP-TV, Toronto International Film Festival, MIPCOM and AFM. Currently, Maya International is selling rights to Ass Backwards, starring Alicia Silverstone; It’s a Disaster, starring Julia Stiles and America Ferrara, Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy; Without Men starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; Across the Line, starring Aidan Quinn and Mario van Peebles; A Bag of Hammers starring Rebecca Hall and Jason Ritter and The Last Rites of Joe May, starring Dennis Farina, among others.

 

Related Content

“Mosquita Y Mari” Lands with Maya International

The Sundance Next Film Selection From Aurora Guerrero Gets Rep’d

Los Angeles, CA – Maya International, a leading independent sales and distribution company based in Los Angeles, has worldwide rights to the Sundance selected film “Mosquita Y Mari” written and directed by Aurora Guerrero. The film, a co-production with Chad Burris’s Indion Entertainment, will be represented by Maya International for foreign, with The Film Collaborative handling domestic sales at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

In this character-driven coming of age story about two 15 year old Latinas who struggle to recognize the sexual undercurrent in their friendship while growing up in an urban immigrant community within the U.S. On the surface, “Mosquita Y Mari” is a story of best friends struggling with life’s universal questions, including finding one’s place in society. But sub-textually, “Mosquita Y Mari” takes a critical look at the less obvious pressures that society insidiously imposes on its citizens, like the assumption that love only exists between the opposite sexes.

The film, which was also accepted into the Sundance Selects at Berlin, is the second film that Producer Chad Burris and Maya International have worked together on; “Ass Backwards”, which Burris exec produced, and Maya Int. holds international rights to the film, was the first.

“We are thrilled to once again work with Chad and Indion. Aurora Guerrero is a talented emerging director, we are proud to represent “Mosquita y Mari” at this year’s Sundance Film Festival,” states Elias Axume, President of International Distribution for Maya International. “We are pleased to have our films in the hands of Elias and Maya International. We feel Elias and Maya bring a work ethic and understanding of the films that will translate into success,” Chad Burris, Producer and President of Indion Entertainment.

Maya International will be handling sales at Sundance Film Festival and at EFM 2012.

ABOUT MAYA INTERNATIONAL – www.Maya-Entertainment.com/International
Maya International Distribution, headed by Elias Axume, sells rights to its entertainment properties worldwide and has a presence at key markets including Berlin Film Festival/European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, MIP-TV, Toronto International Film Festival, MIPCOM and AFM. Currently, Maya International is selling rights to Ass Backwards, starring Alicia Silverstone; It’s a Disaster, starring Julia Stiles and America Ferrara, Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy; Without Men starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; Across the Line, starring Aidan Quinn and Mario van Peebles; A Bag of hammers Starring Rebecca Hall and Jason Ritter and The Last Rites of Joe May, starring Dennis Farina, among others.

Maya Entertainment Acquires Domestic Rights to “La Hora Cero”

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES DOMESTIC RIGHTS TO “LA HORA CERO” (Aka THE ZERO HOUR) FROM HSI FILMS

VOD and Home Video Release Slated for 2012

“La Hora Cero” Set Box Office Record As Highest Grossing Film In Venezuelan Film History

LOS ANGELES, CA – Maya Entertainment has acquired from Los Angeles based HSI Films the domestic rights to “La Hora Cero”, a non-stop action/thriller shot entirely on location in the streets of Venezuela.   The deal for domestic rights includes plans for a 2012 VOD on Maya’s Comcast and Time Warner branded folders, Blu-Ray/DVD, and iTunes and other digital platforms.

Quickly becoming the highest grossing local film in Venezuelan history, “La Hora Cero” (aka The Zero Hour) is a gritty, fast-paced heist film.  Set in Caracas during the 24 hours of a controversial medical strike, it follows Parca, a tattooed hit man as he takes a private hospital hostage in order to save his girlfriend.  What seemed like a perfect plan will end in a frenetic outcome, as Parca is forced to come to terms with his past, and as he discovers that his worst enemies are much closer than he ever imagined.  A love story told in the midst of chaos, “La Hora Cero” is a timely and universal story about the mythic rise to power and the inevitable fall from grace.

“Maya Entertainment is extremely proud to have acquired the in-your-face action picture “La Hora Cero”, and even more thrilled to be working with the talented writer/director Diego Velasco and writer/producer Carolina Paiz,” said David Rand, EVP of Home Entertainment for Maya Entertainment.

Hollywood Studios International (parent company to HSI Films) Chairman and CEO Steven Saxton said, “We’re extremely pleased to have found the perfect partner in Maya Entertainment for the US release of one of the most exciting and influential films to come out of Latin America this past year.”

“La Hora Cero” was produced by Open Studios and Factor +RH in association with Anonimo Studio and Centro Nacional Autonomo de Cinematografia (CNAC). The deal was negotiated by Tonantzin Esparza, Director of Acquisitions on behalf of Maya and Eric Christenson of HSI Films on behalf of Executive Producer Sergio Aguero and producers, Diego Velasco and Carolina Paiz.

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT | www.maya-entertainment.com

Based in Los Angeles, Maya Entertainment Group, Inc. is an independent multi-platform content and distribution company that has established itself as the leader of media product that appeals to the “new mainstream” of American Latino and Multi-cultural audiences.  Led by entertainment industry pioneers, Moctesuma Esparza (Selena, Gettysburg) and Jeff Valdez (Sí TV, QuePasa.com), Maya Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes entertainment programming and has established a library of over 100 titles, which are available at retail, for rental, and on VOD through Time Warner Cable, Comcast, iN DEMAND, and TVN.

Maya International Distribution, headed by Elias Axume, sells rights to its entertainment properties worldwide and has a presence at key markets including Berlin Film Festival/European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, MIP-TV, Toronto International Film Festival, MIPCOM and AFM. Currently, Maya International is selling rights to La Mission, starring Benjamin Bratt; The Jesuit, starring Michelle Rodriguez and Willem Dafoe; Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy; Without Men starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; Across the Line, starring Aidan Quinn and Mario van Peebles; and The Last Rites of Joe May, starring Dennis Farina, among others.

Maya’s recent theatrical and home video releases include the Official 2010 Sundance selection The Dry Land, starring America Ferrera, Jason Ritter, and Wilmer Valderrama; the action-drama Across the Line starring Aidan Quinn, Mario Van Peebles, and Andy Garcia; and Sins of My Father (Pecados de mi Padre), the true story of Pablo Escobar, the infamous boss of Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel, as told through the eyes of his son; Sympathy for Delicious, directed by and starring Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, Laura Linney and Juliette Lewis; Without Men, starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; and Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.

ABOUT HSI FILMS

HSI Films is a worldwide theatrical motion picture financing, production and distribution division of Hollywood Studios International. The company handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures, as well as acquired films. HSI Films Distribution is led by Eric Christenson, who has licensed films that represent more than 50 Academy Award nominations, including: Academy Award “Best Picture” winners “The Hurt Locker” and “The Departed,” as well as “Traffic”, “The Aviator,” and “Gangs of New York”. HSI Films Production is overseen by Producer Paul Schiff. Schiff has an in-house first-look production deal with HSI. Some of the films produced by Schiff include “Young Guns I & II,” “My Cousin Vinny,“ “The Vanishing,” “Rushmore,” “Maid in Manhattan,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” and “Solitary Man.”

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS INTERNATIONAL

Hollywood Studios International is a media holding company focused on the intelligent deployment of capital in the entertainment industry. The company has developed a portfolio of fee-based businesses ranging from talent representation to international distribution.

 

“It’s A Disaster” Gets International Rights Acquired by Maya Entertainment

“IT’S A DISASTER” FOR MAYA ENTERTAINMENT
International Rights Acquired For Apocalyptic Comedy Starring Julia Stiles, David Cross & America Ferrera

LOS ANGELES, CA – Maya Entertainment Group, Inc., a leading independent multi-platform content and distribution company based in Los Angeles, has acquired the international rights to the apocalyptic comedy “It’s A Disaster” from writer/director Todd Berger (“The Scenesters”).  The film stars Julia Stiles (“The Bourne Identity Trilogy, Dexter”), David Cross (“Arrested Development”, “Kung Fu Panda”), and America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty, Real Women Have Curves”).

In this doomsday comedy, four couples who meet for Sunday brunch find themselves stranded in a house together as the world may be about to end. When Tracy Scott (Julia Stiles) decides to introduce her new beau Glenn (David Cross) to her three friends Hedy (America Ferrera), Emma, and Lexi and their significant others, her biggest fear is whether or not her friends will approve of her new relationship, little does she realize that’s the least of her worries.  Before long the couples find themselves in the midst of an apocalyptic disaster, catching them all off guard. One thing is clear; these four couples aren’t going to let the potential end of the world get in the way of the relationship issues they all need to work out.

“It’s A Disaster is a razor sharp comedy, that is a great addition to our international line up” states Elias Axume, President, International Distribution for Maya Entertainment. “The chemistry between Julia Stiles, David Cross and America Ferrera will have international audiences laughing out loud.”

The deal was negotiated by Elias Axume and Tonantzin Esparza, Director of Acquisitions, on behalf of Maya Entertainment, and ICM, which packaged the film and continues to represent North American rights.  “It’s A Disaster” is the second film for Vacationeer Productions, headed by Kevin M. Brennan and Jeff Grace. “Vacationeer Productions is excited and proud to partner with Maya on this deal.  Maya’s track record of successful sales and international relationships will create the highest viewership possible for It’s A Disaster.”

ICM represents Vacationeer Productions, Julia Stiles and America Ferrera.  Stiles is managed by Untitled Entertainment.  Ferrera is managed by Authentic Talent and Literary Management.

Maya International will be handling international sales at AFM 2011. Visit Maya Entertainment in suite 721 at the Loews Hotel Santa Monica, from November 2 – 9 or email JackC@maya-entertainment.com.

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT | www.maya-entertainment.com
Based in Los Angeles, Maya Entertainment Group, Inc. is an independent multi-platform content and distribution company that has established itself as the leader of media product that appeals to the “new mainstream” of American Latino and Multi-cultural audiences.  Led by entertainment industry pioneers, Moctesuma Esparza (Selena, Gettysburg) and Jeff Valdez (Sí TV, QuePasa.com), Maya Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes entertainment programming and has established a library of over 100 titles, which are available at retail, for rental, and on VOD through Time Warner Cable, Comcast, iN DEMAND, and TVN.

Maya International Distribution, headed by Elias Axume, sells rights to its entertainment properties worldwide and has a presence at key markets including Berlin Film Festival/European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, MIP-TV, Toronto International Film Festival, MIPCOM and AFM. Currently, Maya International is selling rights to La Mission, starring Benjamin Bratt; The Jesuit, starring Michelle Rodriguez and Willem Dafoe; Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy; Without Men starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; Across the Line, starring Aidan Quinn and Mario van Peebles; and The Last Rites of Joe May, starring Dennis Farina, among others.
Maya’s recent theatrical and home video releases include the Official 2010 Sundance selection The Dry Land, starring America Ferrera, Jason Ritter, and Wilmer Valderrama; the action-drama Across the Line starring Aidan Quinn, Mario Van Peebles, and Andy Garcia; and Sins of My Father (Pecados de mi Padre), the true story of Pablo Escobar, the infamous boss of Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel, as told through the eyes of his son; Sympathy for Delicious, directed by and starring Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, Laura Linney and Juliette Lewis; Without Men, starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; and Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Maya Entertainment Lands “Ass Backwards” from the Writers of “Bride Wars”

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT LANDS “ASS BACKWARDS” FROM THE WRITERS OF “BRIDE WARS”

Alicia Silverstone, Jon Cryer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Casey Wilson & June Diane Raphael Star In New Comedy

LOS ANGELES, CA – Maya Entertainment Group, Inc., a leading independent multi-platform content and distribution company based in Los Angeles, has acquired the international rights to the comedy “Ass Backwards from the writers of “Bride Wars.”  The film directed by Chris Nelson (upcoming film “Gay Dude” with Sarah Hyland and Megan Mullally) stars Alicia Silverstone (Batman & Robin”, “Clueless”), Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men”), Vincent D’Onofrio (“Law& Order: Criminal Intent”, “Full Metal Jacket”), Casey Wilson (“Happy Endings”, “Bride Wars”), and June Diane Raphael (“Bride Wars”, “Zodiac”).

Two best friends Kate (June Diane Raphael) and Chloe (Casey Wilson) are living the so called “high life” in New York when they run into their former pageant nemesis, Laurel (Alicia Silverstone), who has gone on to become a multi-hyphenated superstar.  Kate and Chloe, whose lives are not as fabulous as they seem to be, embark on a cross country road trip back to their hometown to attempt to win a pageant that eluded them as children. On the road, they face some hard truths about themselves and each other as they encounter spring breakers, strip clubs, a women’s militant group, and their favorite reality star.

“We are excited to have acquired the very funny and quirky comedy Ass Backwards,” said Elias Axume, President, International Distribution for Maya Entertainment. “The cast, led by Alicia Silverstone and Jon Cryer, is terrific and very appealing to many international markets.”

The deal was negotiated by Elias Axume and Tonantzin Esparza, Director of Acquisitions, on behalf of Maya Entertainment.  “Ass Backwardswas produced by Heather Rae (“The Dry Land”, “Frozen River”) and Molly Conners (“Killer Joe”, “Frozen River”).

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT | www.maya-entertainment.com

Based in Los Angeles, Maya Entertainment Group, Inc. is an independent multi-platform content and distribution company that has established itself as the leader of media product that appeals to the “new mainstream” of American Latino and Multi-cultural audiences.  Led by entertainment industry pioneers, Moctesuma Esparza (Selena, Gettysburg) and Jeff Valdez (Sí TV, QuePasa.com), Maya Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes entertainment programming and has established a library of over 100 titles, which are available at retail, for rental, and on VOD through Time Warner Cable, Comcast, iN DEMAND, and TVN.

Maya International Distribution, headed by Elias Axume, sells rights to its entertainment properties worldwide and has a presence at key markets including Berlin Film Festival/European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, MIP-TV, Toronto International Film Festival, MIPCOM and AFM. Currently, Maya International is selling rights to La Mission, starring Benjamin Bratt; The Jesuit, starring Michelle Rodriguez and Willem Dafoe; Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy; Without Men starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; Across the Line, starring Aidan Quinn and Mario van Peebles; and The Last Rites of Joe May, starring Dennis Farina, among others.

Maya’s recent theatrical and home video releases include the Official 2010 Sundance selection The Dry Land, starring America Ferrera, Jason Ritter, and Wilmer Valderrama; the action-drama Across the Line starring Aidan Quinn, Mario Van Peebles, and Andy Garcia; and Sins of My Father (Pecados de mi Padre), the true story of Pablo Escobar, the infamous boss of Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel, as told through the eyes of his son; Sympathy for Delicious, directed by and starring Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, Laura Linney and Juliette Lewis; Without Men, starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; and Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.