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Kino Rebelde Boards Locarno Title ‘September Afternoon’ for International Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
Kino Rebelde has acquired international sales rights to “September Afternoon”, a new film by writer-director Nicolaas Schmidt set to premiere in Locarno Film Festival’s Cineasti del Presente competition. The deal gives the sales company responsibility for seeking overseas distribution, while the premiere places the film among emerging international cinema titles at one of Europe’s major festivals.
The film follows a couple making a final coastal trip as summer ends, using their unsuccessful attempts to shelter from autumnal weather as a meditation on resignation, intimacy and connection. It marks Schmidt’s return to Locarno after his 2021 mid-length film received a Special Mention; his earlier work has also won awards at Berlinale and the German Film Academy.
In short
- Kino Rebelde will handle international sales for “September Afternoon”.
- The film premieres in Locarno’s Cineasti del Presente competition.
- Nicolaas Schmidt returns to Locarno after previous festival recognition.
Explained simply
Kino Rebelde is a film sales company that has acquired the right to find international distributors for a new film called "September Afternoon" by director Nicolaas Schmidt. In the film business, acquiring sales rights means a company takes on the responsibility of selling the film to cinemas and streaming services around the world, allowing the filmmakers to focus on their work whilst the sales company handles business negotiations.
The film will premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe's most respected annual festivals that showcases emerging and innovative cinema. Its selection for one of the festival's main competitions places it amongst the most prominent films being shown, giving the film significant profile ahead of its international release.
"September Afternoon" follows a couple taking a final seaside trip as summer ends, using their struggle against autumn weather to explore themes of resignation, intimacy and human connection. Director Schmidt has previously won recognition at other major festivals including the Berlinale in Berlin, and returns to Locarno with this new work after an earlier film he made was praised there in 2021.