Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
- 1/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
- 1/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
On Thursday, November 14, the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services EasterSeals, hosted the 40th annual Media Access Awards.
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".
The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.
Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".
The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.
Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...
- 11/19/2019
- Look to the Stars
Exclusive: Endeavor Content has largely sold out on Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen drama The Peanut Butter Falcon, which has slow-burned its way to a healthy $19M at the U.S. box office for Roadside Attractions and Armory Films, after opening in early August.
Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in
Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.
The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...
Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in
Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.
The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has picked up UK rights to SXSW Audience Award winner The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and newcomer Zack Gottsagen.
Labeouf plays as a small time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home and hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Johnson plays Zak’s carer.
Also starring are Jon Bernthal, Thomas Hayden Church, Bruce Dern and John Hawkes. Writer-director duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Shwartz set the film up specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors.
Signature struck the deal with Endeavor Content and will release theatrically and online later this year. The film will get its U.S. release on August 9 via Roadside Attractions.
Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films financed and...
Labeouf plays as a small time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home and hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Johnson plays Zak’s carer.
Also starring are Jon Bernthal, Thomas Hayden Church, Bruce Dern and John Hawkes. Writer-director duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Shwartz set the film up specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors.
Signature struck the deal with Endeavor Content and will release theatrically and online later this year. The film will get its U.S. release on August 9 via Roadside Attractions.
Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films financed and...
- 6/21/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired U.S. distribution rights to The Peanut Butter Falcon, the road trip comedy that stars Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen and won the SXSW audience award this year after its world premiere there. The pic will now hit theaters August 9.
The film was written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors. It centers on Zak (Gottsagen), who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince...
The film was written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors. It centers on Zak (Gottsagen), who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince...
- 5/15/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Shia Labeouf’s “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” winner of the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival, has found a home.
Roadside Attractions has bought U.S. distribution rights to the adventure film, written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.
Labeouf portrays a small-time outlaw and stars alongside Zack Gottsagen, a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church).
Labeouf becomes an unlikely coach and ally as the two characters wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whiskey, find God, and catch fish. They also convince a nursing home employee charged with Gottsagen’s return (Dakota Johnson), to join them on their journey. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” also stars Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, and Yelawolf.
Roadside has set a release date of Aug.
Roadside Attractions has bought U.S. distribution rights to the adventure film, written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.
Labeouf portrays a small-time outlaw and stars alongside Zack Gottsagen, a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church).
Labeouf becomes an unlikely coach and ally as the two characters wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whiskey, find God, and catch fish. They also convince a nursing home employee charged with Gottsagen’s return (Dakota Johnson), to join them on their journey. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” also stars Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, and Yelawolf.
Roadside has set a release date of Aug.
- 5/15/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “The Peanut Butter Falcon” starring Shia Labeouf and Dakota Johnson, the company announced Wednesday.
The adventure comedy made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and won an Audience Award, and Roadside will release the film on Aug. 9.
Newcomer Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome whose character also deals with the condition, stars in the film that’s described as a modern Mark Twain adventure. Zak (Gottsagen) is a young man who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky,...
The adventure comedy made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and won an Audience Award, and Roadside will release the film on Aug. 9.
Newcomer Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome whose character also deals with the condition, stars in the film that’s described as a modern Mark Twain adventure. Zak (Gottsagen) is a young man who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Dakota Johnson, Thomas Hayden Church, newcomer Zack Gottsagen also star.
Roadside Attractions has acquired Us rights to Shia Labeouf road trip adventure The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Endeavor Content represents for international sales in Cannes.
Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson directed the SXSW audience award winner starring newcomer Zack Gottsagen as a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck, played by Thomas Haden Church.
Along the way he befriends Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw who becomes an ally,...
Roadside Attractions has acquired Us rights to Shia Labeouf road trip adventure The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Endeavor Content represents for international sales in Cannes.
Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson directed the SXSW audience award winner starring newcomer Zack Gottsagen as a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck, played by Thomas Haden Church.
Along the way he befriends Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw who becomes an ally,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Principal photography underway in Savannah, Georgia.
Armory Films has announced that John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, Thomas Haden Church, and Yelawolf will join the cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon.
The film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz centres on Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome who has been confined to live in a retirement home for most of his life.
One day he breaks out and takes to the road to try to find his hero, a retired wrestler named The Salt Water Redneck. Along the way Zak experiences adventure and danger, and joins forces with a desperado crab fisherman and a kind nurse.
The cast also includes newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Bruce Dern.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole are producing and financing the film, alongside Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, T Bone Burnett, Lije Sarki, and David Thies. Burnett will also...
Armory Films has announced that John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, Thomas Haden Church, and Yelawolf will join the cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon.
The film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz centres on Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome who has been confined to live in a retirement home for most of his life.
One day he breaks out and takes to the road to try to find his hero, a retired wrestler named The Salt Water Redneck. Along the way Zak experiences adventure and danger, and joins forces with a desperado crab fisherman and a kind nurse.
The cast also includes newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Bruce Dern.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole are producing and financing the film, alongside Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, T Bone Burnett, Lije Sarki, and David Thies. Burnett will also...
- 7/24/2017
- ScreenDaily
The actors join previously announced Shia Labeouf in the drama set to begin production this month.
Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern will join Shia Labeouf in The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz will direct from their screenplay.
The Peanut Butter Falcon follows a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he has lived most of his life.
Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak. Gottsagen lives with high-functioning Down syndrome, and became the inspiration for The Peanut Butter Falcon after Nilson and Schwartz met him while working at a non-profit arts organisation.
Principal Photography will commence on June 17 in Savannah, Georgia.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film, alongside [link=co...
Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern will join Shia Labeouf in The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz will direct from their screenplay.
The Peanut Butter Falcon follows a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he has lived most of his life.
Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak. Gottsagen lives with high-functioning Down syndrome, and became the inspiration for The Peanut Butter Falcon after Nilson and Schwartz met him while working at a non-profit arts organisation.
Principal Photography will commence on June 17 in Savannah, Georgia.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film, alongside [link=co...
- 6/14/2017
- ScreenDaily
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