Storm Saulter is certainly a name to watch and be familiar with, if you're not already.
We've highlighted some of his work, including, most recently, the co-creation of New Caribbean Cinema Series – a pioneering approach to filmmaking in the Caribbean that was formed in order to act as a showcase of the creativity from the region’s up and coming filmmakers.
And of course, there's his 2011 international film festival circuit-played, award-winning feature film Better Mus' Come, which will finally see a proper Stateside multi-platform release via AFFRM, as it launches a new label for this purpose (multi-platform releases) called ARRAY, with Saulter's drama the first title to be released under it.
Another bold, unexpected selection by the young distribution collective – see prior non-African American, Diasporic AFFRM releases in Kinyarwanda and Restless City.
Vanessa screened the film at the ABFF last year, and reviewed it HERE.
The full story via press release below:
AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL RELEASING MOVEMENT LAUNCHES MULTI-PLATFORM LABEL ARRAY
First Acquisition is Storm Saulter’s Jamaican Epic
“Better Mus’ Come”
Los Angeles, CA, January 14, 2013 – African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM) today announced the launch of its new label, ARRAY, dedicated to multi-platform distribution of black independent film. The label’s first acquisition is the award-winning drama, Better Mus’ Come, the debut feature from writer/director Storm Saulter. ARRAY has acquired all U.S. distribution rights. The announcement was made by AFFRM Founder Ava DuVernay.
A landmark in Caribbean filmmaking, Better Mus’ Come is a stunning love story unfolding at one of the most violent moments in Jamaican history, when rival gangs were enlisted by warring political factions to disrupt the democratic process – and bloodshed was unleashed on the streets. Winner of Best Feature Awards at Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival and Bahamas Intl Film Festival, Best Director Award at Pan-African Film Festival and Best Actor Award at American Black Film Festival, the film has screened at Toronto International Film Festival, Film Society of Lincoln Center and British Film Institute. The producer is Paul Bucknor, with executive producers Joshua Bratter and Samantha Bratter.
“AFFRM’s new label ARRAY is build to serve the tremendous burst of black cinematic talent across the globe, filmmakers who are embracing new technologies to tell their stories by any means necessary. The goal is to expand the brand cultivated over our first four theatrical releases by reaching new audiences via both digital and traditional platforms,” explained DuVernay. “Storm’s work on Better Mus’ Come as director, writer and cinematographer is wildly impressive, incredibly important and deserves to be seen by as many filmlovers as possible. We’re proud that his gem will launch ARRAY.”
The deal was negotiated by Gordon Bobb of Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano on behalf of AFFRM with the producers.
