Dogwoof acquires int’l rights to Sundance winner “Life, Animated”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Dogwoof has acquired international sales rights (excluding North America, Australia and New Zealand) and U.K. distribution rights to the documentary feature “Life, Animated” from Roger Ross Williams, who won the directing award in the U.S. Documentary category at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Variety reveals.

Dogwoof, which acquired the pic from A&E IndieFilms, is presenting it to buyers at Berlinale’s EFM. The Orchard recently picked up North American rights. A U.K. theatrical release is planned for the fall.

The movie is a coming-of-age story about Owen Suskind, who ceased speaking at 3 years old, disappearing into autism. The film tells the story of how Owen found in Disney animation a pathway to language and a framework for making sense of the world.

The documentary is based on the book “Life Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes and Autism,” by Owen’s father, Pulitzer Prize-winner Ron Suskind.

“‘Life, Animated’ is a gem. An entertaining, uplifting, and profoundly moving film which will change people’s perspectives on autism. We can’t wait to show it to international buyers,” said Anna Godas, CEO of Dogwoof.

The film is produced by Julie Goldman and Williams, with Molly Thompson, senior VP at A&E IndieFilms, Robert DeBitetto, Robert Sharenow and Suskind serving as executive producers.

“‘Life, Animated’ is a global collaboration with a creative team that came from far and wide; ranging from our wonderfully inspired animators in Paris at MacGuff to our phenomenal sound design team at Skywalker Sound in California. This is why we are so excited to be partnering with Dogwoof for our international distribution because they have introduced the world to so many great international documentaries,” Williams said.