‘The Graduates,’ Executive Produced by Chloé Zhao and John Cho, Gets Theatrical Release From The Future of Film Is Female (EXCLUSIVE)
Indie distributor The Future of Film is Female will release “The Graduates,” the directing debut from Hannah Peterson, in theaters across the U.S. starting Nov. 1.
The first distribution partnership for founder Caryn Coleman’s The Future of Film is Female will begin its roll out in theaters at Metrograph in New York. The distributor plans to release select independent films directed by women or nonbinary directors with a bespoke distribution plan for each film.
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“The Graduates” stars Mina Sundwall alongside John Cho, Alex Hibbert, Yasmeen Fletcher, Ewan Manley, Maria Dizzia and Kelly O’Sullivan. In the coming of age drama, Sundwall plays a young woman as she prepares to graduate high school in the aftermath of a tragic event.
It premiered at 2023’s Tribeca Film Festival, winning the best cinematography award on for D.P. Carolina Costa.
Written, directed and edited by Peterson, “The Graduates” is executive producted by Chloé Zhao, Pinky Promise CEO/Founder Jessamine Burgum and President Kara Durrett, Phenomenal Media Founder and CEO Meena Harris, Juliet Liu, and Cho, who also stars in the film. Producers are Josh Peters, Saba Zerehi, Taylor Shung and Burgum.
Peterson’s short “Champ” has been featured at The Future of Film is Female’s screening program with the Museum of Modern Art.
Coleman, President of The Future of Film is Female said, “We have seen too many deserving independent films not receive distribution in recent years and believe that a shift in distribution approach towards specialized distribution is necessary. We are fostering a film programming forward approach to distribution that furthers our conviction that visible representation and audience connection is essential to creating long-lasting change in the film industry. Plus, we care a lot.”
Peterson added, “I am incredibly excited to partner with The Future of Film is Female to release “The Graduates.” Caryn has been a supporter of my career in its entirety, so it is especially meaningful to forge this new pathway together. I can’t wait to finally share the work of this remarkable cast and crew.”
The deal for the film was negotiated by Caryn Coleman of The Future of Film is Female with Cinetic Media and WME on behalf of the filmmakers.
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