January 24, 2005
In this newsletter:
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CLIENT, CRAIG BREWER
Congratulations to our client, director and writer Craig Brewer. His film, "Hustle & Flow," was picked up for distribution by Viacom at the Sundance Film Festival for a $9 million advance. It’s part of a $16 million distribution deal -- the biggest deal ever closed at Sundance.
Viacom plans to distribute the film through all of its media channels, with theatrical to be released this summer by Paramount's not-yet-named indie films mini-major. "Hustle & Flow" will be backed by a $15 million P&A campaign primarily funded by Paramount and MTV.
"Hustle & Flow" is the story of a Memphis pimp who wants to be a rap star. The picture stars Terrence Dashon Howard, DJ Qualls, Ludacris, and Taryn Manning. It will continue to screen at Sundance all week.