Ahead of its worldwide premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, Charm City Kings (fka Twelve) has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. The film will be released in select theaters on April 10, 2020, followed by a wide release on April 17, 2020. It will premiere at Sundance in January.

The film, based on the documentary 12 O’ Clock Boys, was written by Sherman Payne based on a story from Chris Boyd, Kirk Sullivan and Barry Jenkins. It stars Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Meek Mill, Will Catlett, Teyonah Parris, Donielle Tremaine Hansley and Kezii Curtis. Angel Manuel Soto is the director. Charm City Kings is produced by Caleeb Pinkett, Clarence Hammond, and Marc Bienstock and executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and James Lassiter of Overbrook Entertainment.

Here’s the film’s description: Mouse (Winston) desperately wants to join Baltimore’s infamous Midnight Clique, a fearless group of dirt bike riders who rule the summertime streets. When Midnight’s leader, Blax (Mill), takes 14-year-old Mouse under his wing, Mouse soon finds himself torn between the straight-and-narrow and a road filled with fast money and violence.

“Growing up in Puerto Rico as an aspiring filmmaker, I would’ve never fathomed having my film open with the same logo as many of my favorite films and have its world premiere in Sundance,” said Soto. “I’ve always admired Sony Pictures Classics’ extraordinary taste and curatorial eye, and to be a part of their roster is a dream come true. I am forever thankful to Caleeb and Clarence from Overbrook for giving me the privilege of bringing this beautiful story to life with such a talented cast and crew, and I can’t think of a better company to bring CHARM CITY KINGS and its message to the world.”

“We are excited to be bringing this richly energized and timely drama to American audiences. Angel Manuel Soto is an important voice in independent film and we look forward to celebrating him and the movie at the world premiere in Sundance. And it is great to be in business again with our friends at Overbrook,” Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement.

Sony Classics has recently released films such as this year’s Antonio Banderas Oscar contender, Pain & Glory, 2018’s The Wife starring Glenn Close and the 2018 Oscar winner, Call Me by Your Name.

READ MORE:

Sundance 2020 Includes ‘Zola,’ ‘Charm City Kings,’ ‘Sylvie’s Love’ And More

’12 O’Clock Boys’: Meek Mill To Co-Star In Coming-Of-Age Drama Film On Black Dirt Bike Riders

’12 O’Clock Boys’: Jahi Winston, Teyonah Parris And Will Catlett To Star In Coming-Of-Age Drama Film On Black Dirt Bike Riders

Jada Pinkett Smith, Caleeb Pinkett To Produce Feature Film Based On Black Dirt Bike Riders Documentary ’12 O’Clock Boys’

Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

From Harlem to Hollywood, get the Black entertainment news you need in your inbox daily.

Sony Pictures Classics

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week