The much anticipated Michael Jackson documentary “Michael: The Last Photo Shoots” has been acquired by Lightning Entertainment for international sales rights.
Directed by Craig J Williams, MICHAEL: THE LAST PHOTO SHOOTS is an intimate, unique story told through the eyes of Michael’s closest friends, photographers, and stylists that had helped Michael prepare for his 2007 US comeback after several years of living in seclusion overseas. In September of that year, widely respected photographer Bruce Weber and Vogue Fashion Editor, and Jackson’s personal stylist, Rushka Bergman, captured the magic of the King of Pop for the exciting 25th Anniversary of the release of “Thriller.” Later that month, Michael did another shoot with famed celebrity photographer Matthew Rolston and an interview which landed on the cover of Ebony Magazine’s December 2007 issue. This would mark Michael’s first United States interview and magazine story in over a decade.
MICHAEL JACKSON DOCUMENTARY “MICHAEL: THE LAST PHOTO SHOOTS” GOES TO LIGHTNING
Cannes, France – May 15, 2014 – Adding commercial and pop culture flare to its Cannes lineup, Lightning Entertainment has acquired international sales rights to the documentary MICHAEL: THE LAST PHOTO SHOOTS – a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Michael Jackson’s final magazine cover-shoots and the struggles he endured to make them happen. The acquisition announcement was made today by Lightning Entertainment EVP & General Manager Ken DuBow.
Directed by Craig J Williams, MICHAEL: THE LAST PHOTO SHOOTS is an intimate, unique story told through the eyes of Michael’s closest friends, photographers, and stylists that had helped Michael prepare for his 2007 US comeback after several years of living in seclusion overseas. In September of that year, widely respected photographer Bruce Weber and Vogue Fashion Editor, and Jackson’s personal stylist, Rushka Bergman, captured the magic of the King of Pop for the exciting 25th Anniversary of the release of “Thriller.” Later that month, Michael did another shoot with famed celebrity photographer Matthew Rolston and an interview which landed on the cover of Ebony Magazine’s December 2007 issue. This would mark Michael’s first United States interview and magazine story in over a decade.
“We see Michael Jackson as influential and powerful today, nearly five years after his death, as ever before,” said Ken DuBow. “For fans of Michael, and there a millions around the world, this documentary gives a rare behind-the-scenes look into his life, and access to those closest to him. It’s a powerful piece of work and we’re happy to be representing the film in Cannes.”
The deal was negotiated by Ken DuBow and AnaLisa Valle, General Counsel Lightning Entertainment with producers Ray Markovich and Craig J Williams.
MICHAEL: THE LAST PHOTO SHOOTS is the latest addition to Lightning’s powerful international sales slate, which includes the horror/thrillers INDIGENOUS, DARK HOUSE and THE PACK; dramatic thriller GOODBYE WORLD; and ASK ME ANYTHING – a provocative story of coming-of-age and self-discovery starring Britt Robertson, Justin Long, Christian Slater, Martin Sheen and Robert Patrick.
For more information on Lightning Entertainment and the Cannes slate, please visit www.lightning-ent.com.
About Lightning Entertainment:
Established in 2001 and based in Beverly Hills, CA, Lightning Entertainment is a leading independent entertainment company specializing in the international sales, licensing, representation, marketing and distribution of premier independent content in all available media. With a strong presence at major international film markets and established relationships with key distributors in global territories, Lightning focuses on monetizing superior films theatrically and in ancillary markets including home entertainment, television, emerging media, and video-on-demand & digital platforms.
The company represents one of the largest libraries of high-quality pictures in today’s independent marketplace.
Lightning Entertainment distributes films of every genre in the United States and Canada, boasting a remarkable presence on both in-store and digital shelf space. Their distribution arm reaches all available nationwide home entertainment platforms including (but not limited to) Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Redbox, Netflix, iTunes, Google Play, Hulu, Xbox, Sony Playstation, Amazon, Vudu, and most major video-on-demand cable providers. Lightning Entertainment’s domestic distribution branch features the ability to adaptively generate domestic revenue in a rapidly changing industry.
