CRIME THRILLER STARS JOHN HAWKES, ANTHONY ANDERSON, ROBERT FORSTER AND OCTAVIA SPENCER; WILL HAVE FOURTH QUARTER RELEASE IN THEATERS AND ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS
LOS ANGELES – March 20, 2017 – Following the world premiere at SXSW, Saban Films and DIRECTV have acquired the North American rights to Small Town Crime, financed and developed by Avva pictures, which was written and directed by Eshom and Ian Nelms (Waffle Street, Night of the Dog, Lost on Purpose).  The film stars Academy Award® Nominee John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone, American Gangster, The Sessions), Golden Globe® Nominee Anthony Anderson (“black-ish,” The Departed), Academy Award® Nominee Robert Forster (Jackie Brown, The Descendants), and Academy Award® Winner Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures, The Help).
Small Town Crime follows ex-cop Mike Kendall (John Hawkes) who discovers the body of a young woman and, in an act of self-redemption, becomes hellbent on finding the killer. While his un-couth and quirky detective style helps break open the case, his dogged determination unwittingly puts his sister (Octavia Spencer) and best friend (Anthony Anderson) in danger. The cast also includes Robert Forster, Clifton Collins, Jr., Michael Vartan, James Lafferty, Daniel Sunjata, Caity Lotz, Jeremy Ratchford, Don Harvey, Stefanie Scott and Dale Dickey.
Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley said: “Small Town Crime is truly a special film which resonated with audiences and critics alike following the world premiere at SXSW.  The directors, Eshom and Ian, captured a unique tone which the talented cast brought to life. After such a successful SXSW audience screening, we are very excited to deliver this movie the nationwide audience it deserves across every platform of distribution.”
Avva Pictures CEO Mehrdad Elie said “Avva Pictures’ decision to finance Small Town Crime was based on the fantastic script written by the Nelms Brothers and the amazing cast in the movie. It has been an incredible journey to bring this story to life. This film is very engaging and I know will become popular enjoyment for the world. Avva Pictures is proud to collaborate with Saban Films for the release of this film in theaters across the U.S and over multiple platforms.”
John J. Kelly, Brad Johnson and Parisa Caviani produced, alongside executive producers Octavia Spencer and Merhdad Elie. The film was financed by Avva Pictures.  Bill Bromiley, Ness Saban and Jonathan Saba negotiated on behalf of Saban Films, while Kevin Iwashina and Zac Bright of Preferred Content negotiated the deal on behalf of the financier and filmmakers. Saban Films is currently planning for a fourth quarter release in theaters across the U.S.
 
Saban Films recently acquired FilmNation’s sci-fi film Kill Switch starring Dan Stevens and Bérénice Marlohe and Roland Joffé’s The Forgiven starring Forest Whitaker and Eric Bana.  The 2017 Saban Films slate includes: John Michael McDonagh’s War on Everyone starring Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, and Tessa Thompson; Colm McCarthy’s critically acclaimed apocalyptic thriller The Girl with All the Gifts starring six-time Academy Award® Nominee Glenn Close, Gemma Arterton and Paddy Considine; Walter Hill’s The Assignment starring Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia; Jonathan Mostow’s The Hunter’s Prayer starring Sam Worthington and Odeya Rush; and Sean Penn’s The Last Face starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem.
 
Since the company’s launch in 2014, Saban Films has released 21 films including: The Homesman starring Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank; Tracers starring Taylor Lautner; Philip Martin’s The Forger starring John Travolta; Man Up starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell; Tom Tykwer’s A Hologram for the King starring Tom Hanks; sci-fi horror film Cell starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson; I Am Wrath with John Travolta; Renny Harlin’s action comedy Skiptrace, starring Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville; Rob Zombie’s 31; and Zack Whedon’s feature debut Come and Find Me starring Emmy Award Winner Aaron Paul and Annabelle Wallis.
 
About Saban Films
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group (“SCG”), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America. Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as president, Shanan Becker, Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Director of Business Development.
About Avva Pictures
Avva pictures is a motion picture funding and development company based in San Francisco. The company is led by CEO Mehrdad Elie and Parisa Caviani as the President of production. Avva Pictures strives to anchor itself as the presenter of quality independent films by collaborating with talented filmmakers and developing innovative stories.
 
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