August 7th, 2013 – D FILMS announced today that it has acquired the exclusive, long-term Canadian distribution rights in all media to the new adaptation of the timeless Shakespearean tragedy Romeo & Juliet from Speranza13 Media. Adapted by Academy Award® winning writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park, Downton Abbey) and directed by Carlo Carlei (The Fight of the Innocent), the film stars Academy Award® nominee Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) and Douglas Booth (LOL) as the iconic star-crossed lovers. The film will release nationwide on October 11th, 2013 by D Films with Relativity releasing the film in the United States on the same date. The announcement was made today by President and CEO of D Films, Jim Sherry.

The ageless story from the world’s most renowned author is re-imagined for the 21st Century by Julian Fellowes and director Carlo Carlei. This adaptation is told in the lush traditional setting it was written, but gives a new generation the chance to fall in love with the enduring legend. In addition to Steinfeld and Booth, the all star cast includes Academy Award® nominated Paul Giamatti (Sideways), Emmy winner Damian Lewis (Homeland), Stellan Skarsgård (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End) and Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl).

“We are very excited to bring this masterful new film to Canadian audiences this fall,” said Sherry. “Carlo’s vision of this timeless classic is bound to garner critical and audience appreciation alike.”

Romeo & Juliet is a co-production of Amber Entertainment, Swarovski Entertainment and Echo Lake Entertainment.

ABOUT D FILMS:

D Films is a Canadian full service motion picture and television marketing and distribution boutique that acquires exclusive, long-term rights to film and television content across all media platforms. D Films recently distributed The Attack, by director Ziad Doueiri, which opened in the US and Canada to rave reviews and Revolution¸ director Rob Stewart’s highly anticipated follow up to his International Award winning documentary Sharkwater. Revolution is the highest grossing Canadian documentary in over half a decade. Upcoming releases from D Films include Academy Award® winner Paul Haggis’ highly anticipated Third Person, which features an all star cast including Academy Award® winner Adrien Brody, Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, James Franco, Olivia Wilde, and Kim Basinger, and the critically acclaimed film The Deep, from director Baltasar Kormákur, who’s last film, 2 Guns, is currently the number one film in North America.

ECHO LAKE ENTERTAINMENT AND BLUE LAKE MEDIA FUND:

Founded by Doug Mankoff in 1997, Echo Lake Entertainment is an independent film production and financing company (under the banner Echo Lake Productions) as well as a literary and talent management company (Echo Lake Management). Mankoff remains the majority owner of the company and runs it with industry veteran Andrew Spaulding. Since its founding in 1997, the company has produced and/or financed more than 30 films. The company provides investments in films through its Blue Lake Media Fund, which the company manages in partnership with Blue Ice Capital, a Toronto-based fund headed by Steven Silver and Neil Tabatznik. The 8-figure fund, backed by private investors in the US and Canada, finances films with budgets of $10 million and higher with an emphasis on commercial fare with bankable directors and casts. The Blue Lake Media Fund financed Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In and I’m So Excited, which Sony Pictures Classics released, along with Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children. The fund also financed the upcoming Alexander Payne film Nebraska, which Paramount Pictures will release.

ABOUT SWAROVSKI ENTERTAINMENT:

Swarovski Entertainment collaborates with established industry partners and exceptional talent to develop, finance and produce original and artistically accomplished feature films with international box office appeal. With a history spanning 80 sparkling years on the silver screen, and having worked hand-in-hand with countless costume, jewellery and set designers on some of Hollywood’s most iconic productions, it is a natural evolution for Swarovski to move into film production. Swarovski Entertainment aims to express Swarovski’s philosophy, ideas and values through moving images to enchant and inspire audiences around the world.

www.swarovski-entertainment.com