“Signature Move” producers filmmaker Eugene Sun Park and Brian Hiegglke, publisher of Newcity magazine, were selected as 2016 Tribeca All Access Fellows attending the Tribeca Film Network marketplace part of the April 18-30 Tribeca Film Festival.
Fawzia Mirza’s romantic comedy, “Signature Move: Life, Love & Lady Wrestling” was chosen as one 13 independent film projects — 10 docs and three scripted projects — that will participate in the intense rounds of TFI’s market meet-ups.
The producers, who TFI is flying to New York, will have the face-to-face opportunity to pitch to sales agents, funders, producers, distributors and other key people who can help move their project from development to production.
“TFI is like Sundance in discovering and helping projects by diverse filmmakers get to the next step of funding and distribution,” said Sun Park of Full Spectrum Features.
Their TFI application process included submission of Mirza’s screenplay, a business plan and budget for the $250,000 project.
They will be in excellent company at the film market. “These 13 films, in varying stages of production, feature unique storytelling approaches from some of the most exciting filmmakers working today,” the TFI said. Mirza’a screenplay is about a 30-something Pakistani woman from Chicago who takes care of her TV-obsessed mother, while seeking strength in love and wrestling. Mirza will also co-produce and star. Lisa Donato was co-writer.
Director is Jennifer Reeder, who was tapped for the assignment “after a five month search for the right female director, who wants to make her film career here,” Sun Park said.
“Signature Move” is the first feature film undertaken by each of the four principals.
Hieggelke’s Newcity got into the film business a few years ago when it launched Chicago Film Project.
It put out the call to filmmakers to submit their projects for production by the publication, “as proof of the great potential for independent filmmaking in Chicago, far from either coast,” Hiegglke said at the time.
The winner was Sun Park’s submission of Mirza’s “Life, Love” from among 100 or so proposals received.
Filming is expected to start late this summer in Chicago, said Sun Park. Also part of the team to date are and DP Christopher Rejano.
Funds for the $250,000 budget are also being raised via Indiegogo.
