December 10th, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY – (December 10, 2012) –Tribeca Film, the distribution label of Tribeca Enterprises, and Focus World, the alternative distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, have teamed to acquire U.S. rights to Greetings from Tim Buckley, a captivating exploration of two generations of musicians – Tim and Jeff Buckley. The film spotlights a powerhouse lead performance by Penn Badgley as Jeff Buckley.

The movie’s world premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival garnered strong praise: “Penn Badgley [gives] a vibrant, break-out performance… Dan Algrant’s lyrical recreation of a father-son relationship seen over time, through memory and music, has a sense of urgent originality” (The Hollywood Reporter); “[ Badgley’s] a great singer—he does an eerily perfect impersonation ... but what draws you to him in this movie is his private, almost invisible woe.” (Entertainment Weekly)

The film is directed by Dan Algrant (People I Know), co-written by Emma Sheanshang, David Brendel, and Algrant, and stars Mr. Badgley (Margin Call, Gossip Girl), Imogen Poots (A Late Quartet), and screen newcomer Ben Rosenfield. The producers are John N. Hart, Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, and Amy Nauiokas. The executive producers include Brian Carmody, Jill Footlick, and Ben Limberg.

In 1991, a young musician named Jeff Buckley (played by Mr. Badgley) rehearses for his public singing debut at a Brooklyn tribute show for his father, the late folk singer Tim Buckley. Struggling with the legacy of a man he barely knew, Jeff finds solace in a relationship with an enigmatic young woman (Ms. Poots) working at the show. While they discover each other and New York City, the film also explores Tim’s (Mr. Rosenfield) 1960s heyday, as he drives cross-country with a girlfriend and finds himself on the verge of stardom. Greetings from Tim Buckley is a poignant portrait of a father and son who were each among the most beloved singer/songwriters of their respective generations.

The deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions; for Focus by Avy Eschenasy, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Business Affairs and Acquisitions, and Kent Sanderson, Director, Alternative Content & Distribution; and for the filmmakers by CAA and Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams.

Tribeca Film and Focus World will release the film in 2013, encompassing a platform theatrical rollout as well as availability on demand in more than 40 million homes through a variety of video-on-demand offerings, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU, and Xbox.

“Greetings from Tim Buckley is a uniquely independent vision—a musical, a love story, and an examination of a father-son relationship that never was,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “With an especially affecting performance by Penn Badgley, and directed by the very talented Dan Algrant, Buckley is an example of storytelling of the highest caliber and quality. We are especially excited to be partnering with Focus to release this film across all platforms.”

“The partnership between Tribeca and Focus finds us a perfect home for Buckley,” said Mr. Algrant. “No rules exist any more for films like this, where the audience will not only want to find it playing nearby in a theater, but also to pull it onto their own personal screen ASAP.  I only advise them to have proper speakers so they can blast the concert sequence- or they'll be missing out.”

About Focus World
Launched in 2011, Focus World (www.focusfeatures.com/focusworld) identifies and curates the most exciting voices in international and independent cinema. Part of Focus Features’ multi-platform strategy, Focus World presents titles of genuine vision and originality on EST, iVOD, and VOD, along with DVD and other formats.

Focus Features is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About Tribeca Film
Tribeca Film is a comprehensive distribution label dedicated to acquiring and marketing independent films across multiple platforms, including video-on-demand, theatrical, digital, home video and television.  It is an initiative from Tribeca Enterprises designed to provide new platforms for how film can be experienced, while supporting filmmakers and introducing audiences to films they might not otherwise see. American Express continues its support of Tribeca and the independent film community by serving as the Founding Partner of Tribeca Film.

Current and upcoming Tribeca Film releases include the critically acclaimed Side by Side; Takashi Miike’s Hara-Kiri; The Comedy, directed by Rick Alverson and starring Tim Heidecker; Internet horror franchise sensation Grave Encounters 2; Toronto International Film Festival world premieres The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, directed by Edward Burns, and How to Make Money Selling Drugs; Struck By Lightning, directed by Brian Dannelly and written by/starring Chris Colfer; and the award-winning War Witch (Rebelle).

Editor’s note: A film still can be accessed at the following link: http://www.tribecafilm.com/Tribeca-Film-Stills.html

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PRESS CONTACTS:

Tammie Rosen – Tribeca Enterprises, 212.941.2003, trosen@tribecaenterprises.com

Dade Hayes – Rubenstein Communications, 212.843.8022, dhayes@rubenstein.com

Adriene Bowles – Focus Features, 818.777.7499, adriene.bowles@focusfeatures.com

Harlan Gulko – Focus Features, 818.777.7346, harlan.gulko@focusfeatures.com