After facing removal from this year’s Sundance Film Festival lineup, the independent film BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is set to make its grand return, now under new ownership. James Shani's Rich Spirit and BN Media have successfully acquired the film from Participant Media, allowing it to premiere at the festival, brightening the snowy streets of Park City, Utah with anticipation.
Originally selected to showcase its boundary-pushing narrative, BLKNWS was pulled at the behest of Participant Media after director Kahlil Joseph submitted an unauthorized cut to Sundance without the company’s approval. This surprising move did not coincide with Participant's expectations after they had previously provided strong support and financial backing. The event sparked tension between the two parties, prompting Participant to issue a statement expressing shock at the actions taken by Joseph.
The re-acquisition of BLKNWS marks a significant moment not only for the film but for the filmmakers involved, who have invested years of effort and creativity. Joseph, along with producer Onye Anyanwu, expressed their gratitude for the initial faith shown by A24 and Participant Media. They commented, "This film would not have made it to Sundance without the early support and belief of A24 and Participant. Their faith in our vision from the very beginning was instrumental in bringing this project to life." The duo remained optimistic, declaring their excitement to finally share their hard work with the world.
A Sundance spokesperson, reflecting on the festival’s outlook, noted, "We are overjoyed to welcome BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions back to the festival lineup. This boundary-pushing, relentlessly innovative art deserves to be shared after years of work by the filmmaking team, and the festival is proud to have it as part of our programming." This highlights the festival's commitment to showcasing groundbreaking creative efforts.
Before this shift, Participant had been the primary producer and copyright owner of the film, which initially garnered attention when A24 agreed to co-finance and distribute it. Upon dropping out last August due to complications stemming from the pandemic and production delays, Participant was faced with the travel of unforeseen challenges. They reported incurring over $40,000 to prepare for the film's premiere, alongside hiring CAA Media Finance as its sales agent.
Now, with Rich Spirit stepping up to embrace this project, questions of distribution and future screenings linger as the film prepares for its world premiere at 9 AM on Monday at the Egyptian Theater, after being screened for buyers the day before. The festival anticipates considerable interest from various distributors eager to acquire this film, which is being billed as the latest iteration of Joseph’s broader BLKNWS project. The project, which had its first appearance at Sundance back in 2020, has grown to be seen as deeply innovative and timely.
BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions weaves together powerful themes. Set against the backdrop of Africa's rich history, the film explores the journeys of significant historical figures such as W. E. B. Du Bois, alongside Joseph’s personal family legacy. It follows the story of a mysterious young journalist aboard the cruise liner Nautica, who is covering the Transatlantic Biennial, all the whilst cleverly pulling off the task undercover.
With excitement mounting, the film's international premiere is also confirmed for Berlin next month. Industry insiders are beginning to turn their attention to how this acquisition will signal new opportunities for the film, bolstered by Shani's background—his company previously saved the controversial Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, from complications.
Overall, BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is not only poised to make waves at Sundance but is also being prepared for its showcase on the global stage, proving the resilience and adaptability of independent cinema. The creative team remains hopeful about the project's future as they navigate the aftermath of recent events, aiming to connect with audiences far beyond the festival circuit.