June 27th, 2018

Los Angeles– June 27, 2018 –Vertical Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to NIGERIAN PRINCE, the first winning film from AT&T Presents: Untold Stories created by AT&T and Tribeca. The Untold Stories initiative, a multi-tier alliance between AT&T, Tribeca and the Tribeca Film Institute that supports underrepresented filmmakers, awarded director Faraday Okoro $1 million in April 2017 to produce his feature film with mentorship from the Tribeca Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Institute.

NIGERIAN PRINCE made its worldwide premiere in April at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. It was shot on location in Lagos and finished in less than 12 months. The film marks writer and director Faraday Okoro’s feature debut and stars breakout newcomers, Chinaza Uche and Antonio Bell. Vertical plans a fall 2018 theatrical release in multiple U.S. markets, including New York and Los Angeles. The film will also be released via national VOD outlets, as well as on additional platforms, including DIRECTV and U-verse.

“We are beyond excited to be partnering with AT&T and Tribeca to bring an important new voice and perspective to wide audiences,” said Rich Goldberg. “Faraday Okoro’s film shines a light on a unique fish-out-of-water journey and we can’t wait for people to experience it.”

“Unveiling this story to the world is so gratifying for the entire cast and crew of NIGERIAN PRINCE,” said Faraday Okoro, writer and director of the film. “After winning AT&T Presents: Untold Stories last year, the team worked tirelessly to finish the film, but the hard work has all been worth it. I’m proud to work with Vertical Entertainment and to continue the partnership with AT&T and Tribeca to bring this film to more people.”

The deal was negotiated by Rich Goldberg and Peter Jarowey at Vertical and Janice Keane on behalf of AT&T.

NIGERIAN PRINCE is about a Nigerian-American teenager who is sent to Nigeria against his will and joins forces with an internet scammer in order to return to the United States. The film was directed by Faraday Okoro; written by Faraday Okoro and Andrew Long; produced by Oscar Hernandez, Bose Oshin, and Faraday Okoro; executive produced by Spike Lee and Biyi Bandele; co-produced by Andrew Long; with cinematography by Sheldon Chau, editing by Kristan Sprague, and music by Eric V. Hachikian and Peter Nashel.

NIGERIAN PRINCE was selected as the first winning film of AT&T Presents: Untold Stories.
The Untold Stories film initiative was created by AT&T and Tribeca to support filmmakers in historically underrepresented communities, such as those from diverse segments, including women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, African-American, Asian and Hispanic groups.

About Vertical Entertainment
Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique combination of full-service marketing and sales services. Dedicated to providing highly-effective and collaborative solutions, Vertical leverages unparalleled relationships to maximize revenue across all streams. With a collective 60 years of distribution, the marketing and sales expertise from Vertical’s seasoned team gives content partners a wealth of experience minus the studio costs.

Last year Vertical won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in “Other People” and the film won a GLAAD Award for “Outstanding Film Limited Release” as well. Vertical also had four other Indie Spirit nominations last year – three more for “Other People” (Best Lead Actor for Jesse Plemons, and Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay for filmmaker Chris Kelly) and one for Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s “Under the Shadow,” which was also the official UK submission for the 2017 Oscars, in addition to winning one BAFTA Award and three British Independent Film Awards as well.

Upcoming 2018 releases include Rob Reiner’s “Shock and Awe” starring Woody Harrelson, James Marsden, Milla Jovovich, Jessica Biel, and Tommy Lee Jones; Kevin Connolly’s “Gotti” starring John Travolta, Kelly Preston and Chris Mulkey; Anthony Byrne’s “In Darkness” starring Natalie Dormer (who also co-wrote), Ed Skrein, and Emily Ratajkowski; and Trevor White’s “A Crooked Somebody” starring Rich Sommer, Clifton Collins Jr, and Joanne Froggatt. For more information, please visit www.vert-ent.com and www.facebook.com/vertent.

About AT&T Communications
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NIGERIAN PRINCE Still:
HERE
Caption: Chinaza Uche in NIGERIAN PRINCE.
Photo by Sheldon Chau. Courtesy AT&T/Vertical/Tribeca

Media Contacts:
Alison Deknatel, PMK*BNC, Alison.Deknatel@pmkbnc.com, 310-967-7247
Tammie Rosen, Tribeca, trosen@tribecaenterprises.com, 212-941-2003

Brett LeVecchio, AT&T, bl022d@att.com, 469-394-8907