EXCLUSIVE: Together Films has acquired international sales rights to Lowland Kids, a documentary produced by Darren Aronofsky about America’s first climate refugees, ahead of the film’s world premiere at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen.
Danish-born filmmaker Sandra Winther directed the feature which “follows two teenagers [Howard and Juliette] and their uncle [Chris] – on Louisiana’s rapidly disappearing Isle de Jean Charles. They face an uncertain future as the U.S. government makes an unprecedented effort to resettle their entire community before the island succumbs to the sea.”
Lowland Kids is a co-production of Protozoa, Real Lava, Misfits Entertainment, Passion Pictures, and MBK, in association with Minderoo Pictures, Evoke Media, and RandomGood Films. Along with Oscar nominee Aronofsky, founder of Protozoa, the film is produced by Lizzie Gillett (Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story) of Misfits Entertainment; Oscar nominee Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær (The Cave; Apolonia, Apolonia) of Real Lava; Protozoa’s Brendan Naylor; William Crouse (Monster Factory), and Lauren Avinoam (All These Small Moments).
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In 2016, the Obama administration allocated $1 billion to help communities in 13 states “adapt to climate change,” (as the New York Times reported). Almost $50 million of that was provided to resettle all the residents of Isle de Jean Charles as rising sea levels threatened to swallow the area. Then Hurricane Ida struck in 2021, destroying “nearly every home on the peninsula and forced residents to flee,” the CPH:DOX program writes. “Since then, the authorities have worked to move the entire community further inland, and now Howard and Juliette must leave their childhood behind as they and the rest of the small community watch their world disappear.”
CPH:DOX programmers comment, “Young Danish documentary filmmaker Sandra Winther has created a sensual and intimate film about pain and unity, and about the new realities of being a climate refugee in the American South.”
In a statement, Winther said, “After six years in the field, I’m thrilled to finally share this story with the world and bring its impact to a wider audience. With the incredible support of my team and the expertise of Sarah Mosses and Together Films, I know this film is in the best hands to reach the people who need it most—now more than ever.”
“Sandra Winther’s intimate approach to storytelling brings audiences into the heart of this historic moment,” noted Sarah Mosses, founder and CEO of Together Films, “showing the strength and resilience of a family facing an uncertain future. This is one of the most cinematic and beautiful climate films we have seen in recent years, and is a timely reminder of the impending erosion of land that will result in many families facing a similar fate.”
Added producer Lizzie Gillett, “Sandra’s talent is truly one of a kind, and with a fresh, youthful eye, she has created a film that humanizes a deeply urgent global issue. I couldn’t be more thrilled that someone as insightful and mission-driven as Sarah Mosses, along with her team at Together Films, will be guiding the film to ensure it reaches the audience it deserves.”
The acquisition deal was led by Together Films’ Sarah Mosses and Misfits Entertainment’s Lizzie Gillett. Together Films plans to lead “an Impact Campaign for the film to activate audiences across the US affected by the issues in the film,” according to a release.
Executive producers include Alice Eady, and co-founder and CEO of Earthrise Studios, Marc Smit (Cineart), Paul Wiegard (Madman), and Sons of Rigor Films. Amber Morning Star Byars (Sugarcane) serves as consulting producer. Cinematography is by Andrea Gavazzi, with music by Katya Mihailova. Eva Dubovoy and Per K. Kirkegaard edited the film.
Lowland Kids holds its world premiere on Monday, March 24 (at the Empire Bio) in Copenhagen, followed by additional screenings on March 25, March 27, and March 29.
The feature documentary grew out of a 22-minute iteration that Winther released in 2019, which won Best Short at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, Rhode Island International Film Festival, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival, Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles, and deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City, OK.
The post Together Films Acquires Sales Rights To CPH:DOX-Bound ‘Lowland Kids,’ About Young Louisiana Climate Refugees appeared first on Deadline.
