Gravitas Ventures nabs “Ping Pong Summer” Sundance comedy

PanARMENIAN.Net - Gravitas Ventures has acquired comedy Ping Pong Summer, which premiered in the NEXT section of the Sundance Film Festival in January, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Gravitas is planning a theatrical and VOD release for early summer, with a home video release later in 2014.

Written and directed by Michael Tully, Ping Pong Summer is set in Maryland in 1985 and follows awkward 13-year-old Rad Miracle (Marcello Conte) as he attempts to live up to that name by becoming a master break dancer, ping-pong player and ladies' man all before the end of summer break. Susan Sarandon plays a former table tennis star who trains the teen. Amy Sedaris, Judah Friedlander and Lea Thompson also appear in supporting roles.

"Having been a fan of Tully's work, both as a filmmaker and as a writer at Hammer to Nail, I was still not prepared for what a truly joyous blast of a film Ping Pong Summer turned out to be," said Gravitas vp theatrical distribution Dustin Smith in a statement. "Anyone (i.e. me) who spent lonely teenage summers dreaming of rapping, breakdancing or even (gasp!) talking to a girl is going to love this movie. Plus, where else are you going to see Susan Sarandon wield a fish like a weapon?"

George Rush produced Ping Pong Summer along with Brooke Bernard, Ryan Zacarias, Billy Peterson, Jeffrey Allard and Michael Gottwald in association with Epic Match Media, Compass Entertainment and Nomadic Independence.

Rush and Submarine's Josh Braun and David Koh negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, with Gravitas CEO Nolan Gallagher handling duties for the distributor.