Tribeca Film Acquires NEWLYWEDS, Set To Release Across Multiple Platforms

Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired US and Canadian distribution rights to Newlyweds, actor/writer/director Edward Burns' comedic relationship drama that had its world premiere as the Closing Night selection at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. A release in late 2011 is planned across multiple platforms.

Since the 1995 release of the critically-acclaimed The Brothers McMullen, Edward Burns has been an independent film renegade, utilizing cutting-edge technology to make quality motion pictures on low budgets while reaching wide audiences through new platforms such as iTunes and Video on Demand.

Newlyweds is the 10th film written and directed by Burns. Shot in a fast paced 12 days exclusively in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood, the film is a chronicle of modern marriage complete with the crackling humor and sharp insights into contemporary relationships that Burns fans have come to love. The film tracks a newly wedded couple whose honeymoon period is upended by the arrival of the husband's wild-child baby sister and the crumbling marriage of the wife's meddlesome sister. A 21st Century Manhattan love story, Newlyweds highlights the unarguable truth that when you get married, you're not just getting a husband or wife, you're getting the family, the friends, and even the exes.

The cast includes Burns, Caitlin FitzGerald (It's Complicated), Max Baker, Marsha Dietlein Bennett and Kerry Bishé (Nice Guy Johnny, Scrubs). Burns produced Newlyweds with producing partner Aaron Lubin and William Rexer. Mike Harrop served as executive producer.

"I have enjoyed a great relationship with the Tribeca Film Festival since its inception and I am so thrilled to be collaborating with them to bring Newlyweds to a broad commercial audience," said Burns. "The unique, multi-platform release of Nice Guy Johnny broke new ground last year and brought my work to audiences who have traditionally had trouble accessing independent films theatrically. I am extremely confident that we will really build on that success now that we have Tribeca Film onboard for Newlyweds."

"Newlyweds shows how authentic filmmaking can spring from intentionally modest circumstances. Made on a remarkably small budget, it is a rich and resonant exploration of relationships brought to life by vivid location work and lively, intelligent performances," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. "We look forward to presenting Newlyweds to North American audiences."

The deal was negotiated by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions, and Nancy Schafer, SVP, for Tribeca Film with Burns and Lubin along with Cinetic Media's John Sloss.

"Newlyweds walks along a well-traveled path blazed previously by Woody Allen, but its story is made crisp and new by some very intimate performances," noted Movieline. Bishe and Fitzgerald "excel at playing simmering resentment on screen," raved Elle magazine.

About Tribeca Film:

Tribeca Film is a comprehensive distribution label dedicated to acquiring and marketing independent films across multiple platforms, including theatrical, video-on-demand, digital, home video and television. It is an initiative from Tribeca Enterprises designed to provide new platforms for how film can be experienced, while supporting filmmakers and introducing audiences to films they might not otherwise see. American Express continues its support of Tribeca and the independent film community by serving as the Founding Partner of Tribeca Film.