Weekend gets Aussie distributor

Melbourne-based film distributors Rialto Distribution have secured the Australian and New Zealand distribution rights to the acclaimed new gay film Weekend.

Written and directed by first-time UK filmmaker Andrew Haigh, Weekend tells the story of Russell, who picks up Glen at a Nottingham nightclub on a Friday night. Russell unexpectedly spends the next 48 hours with Glen in bedrooms and bars, and discovers they have a connection that will resonate through their lives.

The film picked up the Grand Jury Prize for Best Film and Best Actor at the Nashville Film Festival and has received rave reviews in both the gay and mainstream media.

Rialto’s theatrical sales manager, Aaron Rowland, said the company was honoured to be able to distribute the film.

“Weekend represents so much more than just a gay cinema release,” Rowland said.

“Weekend has the potential to cross over to a wider audience and we’re excited by the challenge to achieve that here.”

“This is a challenging, rewarding, intimate and romantic film and shows, ultimately, that love transcends sexuality.”

The film will premiere at the Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival on February 16 2012, with a special preview screening two days earlier on Valentine’s Day.

INFO: www.weekend-film.com