Imagination Worldwide Acquires Distribution Rights for SXSW Winner, 'THE LIGHT OF THE MOON'

Imagination Worldwide has acquired worldwide distribution rights for the 2017 South by Southwest (SXSW) Narrative Feature Audience Award winner "The Light of the Moon." The critically-acclaimed gripping tale about the aftermath of rape is writer-director-producer Jessica M. Thompson's feature debut.

"The Light of the Moon" centers around Bonnie, played by Stephanie Beatriz ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Short Term 12"), a successful New York City architect who struggles to regain intimacy and control in her LIFE AFTER her world is irrevocably changed when she is sexually assaulted during an evening out with friends. The film co-stars Michael Stahl-David ("Narcos," "Cloverfield"), Conrad Ricamora ("How to Get Away with Murder") and Catherine Curtin ("Orange is the New Black").

Imagination Worldwide (IWW) will release the film theatrically in the United States and Canada during the fourth quarter of 2017. IWW will then coordinate a college campus tour & worldwide streetdate for DVD and VOD with international distributors to best maximize the marketing & publicity buzz from the U.S. release.

Michelle Mower, CEO of Imagination Worldwide, states "Watching the news, has there ever been a more vital time for a film to face our rape culture head on? When I first saw 'The Light of the Moon' at SXSW, I thought it was the most raw, honest portrayal of life post-sexual assault that I had ever seen. Stephanie Beatriz's performance as Bonnie is beautifully nuanced and real. Her story will stay with you long after you've left the theater. We're looking forward to the honest dialogues this poignant film will inevitably stir up among audiences."

Filmmaker Jessica M. Thompson added, "I'm excited to be partnering with Imagination Worldwide for the release of my debut feature. I knew from the very first conversation I had with Michele (Mower) that they were the right distributor for the film. Considering we had a women-led cast and crew on 'The Light of the Moon,' it feels only natural to have a distribution company that is consciously focused on films made by and about women. We made this film to contribute to the dialogue to end rape culture around the globe, and having a strong distribution partner will allow us to spread this message far and wide."

Imagination Worldwide (IWW) is an international film sales and distribution company based in Los Angeles since 2003. With Mower's recent acquisition, the company is now focused on developing, producing and distributing motion pictures that are visually engaging and targeted towards women - thereby bringing more gender parity to the industry. IWW most recently released Amber Tamblyn's feature directorial debut "Paint it Black" on May 19.

The deal was negotiated by Orly Ravid of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP for IWW, Paradigm's Derek Kigongo and Raymond K. Javdan of The Javdan Firm PLLC on behalf of the film's producers Michael Cuomo, as well as Stedfast Productions' Jessica M. Thompson and Carlo Velayo.

Writer/Director Thompson is repped by Joshua D Goldenberg and Hannah Ozer at Kaplan/Perrone Management. She is currently penning her next feature and television series.

The Film Collaborative is handling worldwide film festival strategy on behalf of "The Light of the Moon."

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