Variety has been given exclusive access to a first-look clip (below) from Simon Ennis’ documentary “The Hobby,” which world premieres at SXSW on Friday. International sales are being handled by Vortex Media.
“The Hobby” is an affectionate, character-driven portrait of the subculture of board games, covering the World Series of Board Games in Las Vegas and reaching back to Ancient Mesopotamia.
The characters portrayed – who include the “Roger Ebert of board games,” a rock-climbing board-game philosopher and a birdwatcher who created an unlikely smash hit – share personal stories of competition, compulsion, creativity and connection.
Ennis says: “One of the most fun and exciting events we visited was the first ever World Series of Board Games held in Las Vegas in 2022. In this clip, one of our main subjects, Dan Corbett is up all night in his hotel room getting ready for his final shot at winning in the [contest]. We then...
“The Hobby” is an affectionate, character-driven portrait of the subculture of board games, covering the World Series of Board Games in Las Vegas and reaching back to Ancient Mesopotamia.
The characters portrayed – who include the “Roger Ebert of board games,” a rock-climbing board-game philosopher and a birdwatcher who created an unlikely smash hit – share personal stories of competition, compulsion, creativity and connection.
Ennis says: “One of the most fun and exciting events we visited was the first ever World Series of Board Games held in Las Vegas in 2022. In this clip, one of our main subjects, Dan Corbett is up all night in his hotel room getting ready for his final shot at winning in the [contest]. We then...
- 3/7/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Horror film “The Voices of Our Mother,” headlined by Sheila McCarthy (“Women Talking”), has wrapped principal photography.
The film is written and directed by Mark O’Brien, who is also an actor, with his most recent credit being Atom Egoyan’s Toronto and Berlinale selection “Seven Veils.” It tells the story of a family who is brought together when their matriarch falls ill, only to find that their lineage is connected by more than blood. The film was shot in Hamilton, Ontario.
The cast also includes Georgina Reilly (“Quantum Leap”), O’Brien, Carolina Bartzcak (“Painkiller”), Alex Ozerov-Meyer (“The Americans”), Anna Ferguson (“Lost Girl”) and Shawn Doyle (“Star Trek: Discovery”).
The film is produced by Canada’s Vortex Productions, a subsidiary of boutique distributor Vortex Media. This marks the second collaboration between O’Brien and Vortex Media who helped to finance and distribute the filmmaker’s Fantasia and Grimmfest-winning feature directorial debut “The Righteous.
The film is written and directed by Mark O’Brien, who is also an actor, with his most recent credit being Atom Egoyan’s Toronto and Berlinale selection “Seven Veils.” It tells the story of a family who is brought together when their matriarch falls ill, only to find that their lineage is connected by more than blood. The film was shot in Hamilton, Ontario.
The cast also includes Georgina Reilly (“Quantum Leap”), O’Brien, Carolina Bartzcak (“Painkiller”), Alex Ozerov-Meyer (“The Americans”), Anna Ferguson (“Lost Girl”) and Shawn Doyle (“Star Trek: Discovery”).
The film is produced by Canada’s Vortex Productions, a subsidiary of boutique distributor Vortex Media. This marks the second collaboration between O’Brien and Vortex Media who helped to finance and distribute the filmmaker’s Fantasia and Grimmfest-winning feature directorial debut “The Righteous.
- 2/26/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Blue Fox Entertainment has picked up U.S. rights to the romantic comedy The End of Sex, starring Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and Jonas Chernick (James vs. His Future Self), from Vortex Media. The film directed by Sean Garrity will be released in theaters nationwide in April, hitting theaters across Canada via Vortex at the same time.
World premiering at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival, The End of Sex tells the story of a married couple (Hampshire and Chernick) who are feeling the pressures of parenting and adulthood. After they send their young kids to camp for the first time, they embark on a series of comic sexual adventures to reinvigorate their relationship.
Related Story Matt Smukler Dramedy ‘Wildflower’ With Kiernan Shipka, Jean Smart, Alexandra Daddario & Others Acquired By Momentum Pictures Related Story 'Appendage': First-Look Images Of Anna Zlokovic's SXSW-Bound Horror Comedy Starring Hadley Robinson & Emily Hampshire Related...
World premiering at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival, The End of Sex tells the story of a married couple (Hampshire and Chernick) who are feeling the pressures of parenting and adulthood. After they send their young kids to camp for the first time, they embark on a series of comic sexual adventures to reinvigorate their relationship.
Related Story Matt Smukler Dramedy ‘Wildflower’ With Kiernan Shipka, Jean Smart, Alexandra Daddario & Others Acquired By Momentum Pictures Related Story 'Appendage': First-Look Images Of Anna Zlokovic's SXSW-Bound Horror Comedy Starring Hadley Robinson & Emily Hampshire Related...
- 2/15/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Blue Finch Films has boarded international sales rights (excluding North America) to the Toronto Film Festival selection The End of Sex ahead of the American Film Market.
Starring Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and Jonas Chernick (Ashgrove), the film follows Emma and Josh, whose kids are away at camp. With the house empty for a week, the couple embark on a series of sexual adventures to recapture the magic of their now-too-comfortable relationship.
The film was directed by Sean Garrity who is re-teaming with his My Awkward Sexual Adventure collaborators Chernick and Hampshire.
Justin Rebelo, CEO of Vortex Media, serves as producer alongside Sally Karam, and Christopher Giroux, with Jesse Ikeman and Bill Marks executive producers for Vortex Media. On behalf of Brainstorm Media, Michelle Shwarzstein and Alex Peters act as executive producers. Stars Hampshire and Chernick also executive produce.
‘We’re thrilled with the reception at TIFF of The End of Sex,...
Starring Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and Jonas Chernick (Ashgrove), the film follows Emma and Josh, whose kids are away at camp. With the house empty for a week, the couple embark on a series of sexual adventures to recapture the magic of their now-too-comfortable relationship.
The film was directed by Sean Garrity who is re-teaming with his My Awkward Sexual Adventure collaborators Chernick and Hampshire.
Justin Rebelo, CEO of Vortex Media, serves as producer alongside Sally Karam, and Christopher Giroux, with Jesse Ikeman and Bill Marks executive producers for Vortex Media. On behalf of Brainstorm Media, Michelle Shwarzstein and Alex Peters act as executive producers. Stars Hampshire and Chernick also executive produce.
‘We’re thrilled with the reception at TIFF of The End of Sex,...
- 10/26/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire is starring in and executive-producing under-the-radar rom-com The End Of Sex, which has just wrapped in Hamilton, Canada.
Also starring are Jonas Chernick (James Vs His Future Self), Gray Powell (Sort Of), Lily Gao (Letterkenny) and Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp).
The feature follows a young couple (Hampshire and Chernick), who feeling the pressures of parenting and adulthood, send their kids to camp for the first time and embark on a series of sexual adventures to reinvigorate their relationship.
Vortex Productions is behind the feature from director Sean Garrity who is re-teaming with his My Awkward Sexual Adventure collaborators Chernick and Hampshire. Chernick has also penned the script.
Vortex Media financed the picture, in association with Brainstorm Media. Vortex and Brainstorm will collaborate on the distribution plan. Worldwide rights remain open.
Justin Rebelo and Sally Karam served as producers with Jesse Ikeman, Christopher Giroux and...
Also starring are Jonas Chernick (James Vs His Future Self), Gray Powell (Sort Of), Lily Gao (Letterkenny) and Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp).
The feature follows a young couple (Hampshire and Chernick), who feeling the pressures of parenting and adulthood, send their kids to camp for the first time and embark on a series of sexual adventures to reinvigorate their relationship.
Vortex Productions is behind the feature from director Sean Garrity who is re-teaming with his My Awkward Sexual Adventure collaborators Chernick and Hampshire. Chernick has also penned the script.
Vortex Media financed the picture, in association with Brainstorm Media. Vortex and Brainstorm will collaborate on the distribution plan. Worldwide rights remain open.
Justin Rebelo and Sally Karam served as producers with Jesse Ikeman, Christopher Giroux and...
- 1/31/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Alternative streaming service Arrow, the home for all things cult, art, horror and world cinema, has snapped up Mark O’Brien’s debut feature “The Righteous.”
Having acquired the film’s U.K., Eire and U.S. rights and Canadian home entertainment rights, Arrow will roll out a digital release in the U.K. U.S. and Eire this summer as well as a deluxe collector’s edition Blu-ray in the U.K., U.S., Canada and Eire under the Arrow Video brand.
The film will be released theatrically and on digital in Canada this summer by Vortex Media.
Starring O’Brien (“Marriage Story”), Henry Czerny (Mission: Impossible franchise) and Mimi Kuzyk (“Private Eyes”), “The Righteous” is a a psychological horror about “a burdened man feels the wrath of a vengeful God after he and his wife are visited by a mysterious stranger.”
The film first premiered at the 2021 Fantasia International...
Having acquired the film’s U.K., Eire and U.S. rights and Canadian home entertainment rights, Arrow will roll out a digital release in the U.K. U.S. and Eire this summer as well as a deluxe collector’s edition Blu-ray in the U.K., U.S., Canada and Eire under the Arrow Video brand.
The film will be released theatrically and on digital in Canada this summer by Vortex Media.
Starring O’Brien (“Marriage Story”), Henry Czerny (Mission: Impossible franchise) and Mimi Kuzyk (“Private Eyes”), “The Righteous” is a a psychological horror about “a burdened man feels the wrath of a vengeful God after he and his wife are visited by a mysterious stranger.”
The film first premiered at the 2021 Fantasia International...
- 1/24/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Vortex Media has acquired the catalogue of Canadian independent distributor Abmo Films. In addition to the acquisition deal, Abmo Films founder Matt Orenstein will assume the role of Vice President, Acquisitions and Strategy at Vortex.
Titles include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, the Oscar nominated First Reformed, Trey Edward Shults’ directorial debut Krisha, and Hounds Of Love.
Deal was negotiated by Justin Rebelo on behalf of Vortex Media and Matt Orenstein for Abmo Films. Vortex specializes in the theatrical release of feature films and monetization across all platforms. Its recent titles include Nicole Dorsey’s Black Conflux, rock documentary Rockfield: The Studio On The Farm, and its upcoming titles include Jim Cumming’s The Beta Test and the Tribeca premiere Peace By Chocolate.
“The acquisition of the Abmo catalogue is an exciting move for us as we continue to grow our feature film distribution in the Canadian market,” said Justin Rebelo,...
Titles include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, the Oscar nominated First Reformed, Trey Edward Shults’ directorial debut Krisha, and Hounds Of Love.
Deal was negotiated by Justin Rebelo on behalf of Vortex Media and Matt Orenstein for Abmo Films. Vortex specializes in the theatrical release of feature films and monetization across all platforms. Its recent titles include Nicole Dorsey’s Black Conflux, rock documentary Rockfield: The Studio On The Farm, and its upcoming titles include Jim Cumming’s The Beta Test and the Tribeca premiere Peace By Chocolate.
“The acquisition of the Abmo catalogue is an exciting move for us as we continue to grow our feature film distribution in the Canadian market,” said Justin Rebelo,...
- 6/8/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
CEO Justin Rebelo leads company.
Canada’s Vortex Words + Pictures and A71 Releasing have rebranded as Vortex Media, a boutique entertainment studio.
Vortex Media will combine film and TV global distribution and production, and sales across all genres.
Vortex Media includes theatrical releasing company Vortex Canada focused on features in Canada across all platforms; sales and distribution division Vortex International; and Vortex Productions.
The production operation aims to self-finance and produce 10-12 features and made-for-television movies each year.
The rebranding comes after Vortex Words + Pictures acquired a majority interest in A71 Entertainment and full ownership of V71 Entertainment in 2019.
Justin...
Canada’s Vortex Words + Pictures and A71 Releasing have rebranded as Vortex Media, a boutique entertainment studio.
Vortex Media will combine film and TV global distribution and production, and sales across all genres.
Vortex Media includes theatrical releasing company Vortex Canada focused on features in Canada across all platforms; sales and distribution division Vortex International; and Vortex Productions.
The production operation aims to self-finance and produce 10-12 features and made-for-television movies each year.
The rebranding comes after Vortex Words + Pictures acquired a majority interest in A71 Entertainment and full ownership of V71 Entertainment in 2019.
Justin...
- 10/8/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Canadoan company has four films in post, production slate earmarked for 2020, 2021.
Former Gaumont TV International vice-president of TV sales for Asia Pacific Ben Bishop has joined Canada’s Vortex Words + Pictures in the newly created position of president, international distribution, effective immediately.
Bishop will be based in Sydney, Australia. Vortex Words + Pictures has four films in post and a slate of films earmarked for production in 2020 and 2021.
The company acquired a majority interest in A71 Entertainment and V71 Entertainment last year and announced in January the hiring of Justin Rebelo as CEO. Shortly after that it said it had purchased the assets of D Films.
Former Gaumont TV International vice-president of TV sales for Asia Pacific Ben Bishop has joined Canada’s Vortex Words + Pictures in the newly created position of president, international distribution, effective immediately.
Bishop will be based in Sydney, Australia. Vortex Words + Pictures has four films in post and a slate of films earmarked for production in 2020 and 2021.
The company acquired a majority interest in A71 Entertainment and V71 Entertainment last year and announced in January the hiring of Justin Rebelo as CEO. Shortly after that it said it had purchased the assets of D Films.
- 6/9/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Gaumont International exec Ben Bishop has joined Canadian firm Vortex Words + Pictures as President, International Distribution, based in Sydney, Australia.
Bishop, who started June 1, joins from Gaumont where he served as International VP of TV Sales for Asia Pacific and sold shows including Narcos, El Chapo, Art Of Crime, El Presidente, and Calimero.
Prior to Gaumont, he worked for 13 years at Entertainment One, latterly as Sales Director for Australia, New Zealand and Asia, selling The Walking Dead, Hell On Wheels, Girl On The Train, Divergent and Spotlight.
The exec will be tasked with growing the international footprint of Vortex, which has been on a buying spree. The company, run by veteran Canadian producer Bill Marks, acquired a majority interest in A71 Entertainment and V71 Entertainment in 2019 and this year purchased the assets of D Films. In January of this year the company announced Justin Rebelo as its new CEO.
Bishop, who started June 1, joins from Gaumont where he served as International VP of TV Sales for Asia Pacific and sold shows including Narcos, El Chapo, Art Of Crime, El Presidente, and Calimero.
Prior to Gaumont, he worked for 13 years at Entertainment One, latterly as Sales Director for Australia, New Zealand and Asia, selling The Walking Dead, Hell On Wheels, Girl On The Train, Divergent and Spotlight.
The exec will be tasked with growing the international footprint of Vortex, which has been on a buying spree. The company, run by veteran Canadian producer Bill Marks, acquired a majority interest in A71 Entertainment and V71 Entertainment in 2019 and this year purchased the assets of D Films. In January of this year the company announced Justin Rebelo as its new CEO.
- 6/9/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
’This gives us the baseline library to achieve the strategic goals of the company.’
Ambitious Toronto-based Canadian distributor and sales agent A71 Entertainment has acquired the library of former Canadian outfit D Films.
A71 won an auction after the latter went into receivership last year, enabling A71 to boost its Canadian-first pipeline with 90-100 titles including Andrew Cividino’s Cannes 2015 selection Sleeping Giant (pictured), Bruce McDonald’s Dreamland, and Rob Stewart’s Sharkwater: Extinction.
“This is the next step in the legacy and growth of A71 Entertainment”, said A71 Entertainment CEO Justin Rebelo. “This gives us the baseline library to...
Ambitious Toronto-based Canadian distributor and sales agent A71 Entertainment has acquired the library of former Canadian outfit D Films.
A71 won an auction after the latter went into receivership last year, enabling A71 to boost its Canadian-first pipeline with 90-100 titles including Andrew Cividino’s Cannes 2015 selection Sleeping Giant (pictured), Bruce McDonald’s Dreamland, and Rob Stewart’s Sharkwater: Extinction.
“This is the next step in the legacy and growth of A71 Entertainment”, said A71 Entertainment CEO Justin Rebelo. “This gives us the baseline library to...
- 1/22/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Distribution pipeline includes The Cuban starring Louis Gossett Jr.
Ambitious Ontario-based distributor A71 Entertainment has hired former senior eOne executive Justin Rebelo as CEO, effective immediately.
Rebelo served at the Canadian giant as vice-president overseeing television and digital distribution for English-speaking Canada. The longtime veteran of the film and television space spent more than 15 years programming at various broadcasters including HBO Canada, Super Channel, Epix in the Us, and Bell Media-owned Much Music.
He was the executive in charge of production on, among others, Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, Tiff best first Canadian feature and Csa award-winner Blackbird, Tiff Best...
Ambitious Ontario-based distributor A71 Entertainment has hired former senior eOne executive Justin Rebelo as CEO, effective immediately.
Rebelo served at the Canadian giant as vice-president overseeing television and digital distribution for English-speaking Canada. The longtime veteran of the film and television space spent more than 15 years programming at various broadcasters including HBO Canada, Super Channel, Epix in the Us, and Bell Media-owned Much Music.
He was the executive in charge of production on, among others, Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, Tiff best first Canadian feature and Csa award-winner Blackbird, Tiff Best...
- 1/9/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Distribution pipeline includes The Cuban starring Louis Gossett Jr.
Ambitious Ontario-based distributor A71 Entertainment has hired former senior eOne executive Justin Rebelo as CEO, effective immediately.
Rebelo served at the Canadian giant as vice-president overseeing television and digital distribution for English-speaking Canada. The longtime veteran of the film and television space spent more than 15 years programming at various broadcasters including HBO Canada, Super Channel, Epix in the Us, and Bell Media-owned Much Music.
He was the executive in charge of production on, among others, Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, Tiff best first Canadian feature and Csa award-winner Blackbird, Tiff Best...
Ambitious Ontario-based distributor A71 Entertainment has hired former senior eOne executive Justin Rebelo as CEO, effective immediately.
Rebelo served at the Canadian giant as vice-president overseeing television and digital distribution for English-speaking Canada. The longtime veteran of the film and television space spent more than 15 years programming at various broadcasters including HBO Canada, Super Channel, Epix in the Us, and Bell Media-owned Much Music.
He was the executive in charge of production on, among others, Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, Tiff best first Canadian feature and Csa award-winner Blackbird, Tiff Best...
- 1/9/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
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