"CANNIBAL COMEDIAN" (2023) Gets Gobbled Up By SCREAMBOX!
Historically speaking, getting a film made was harder than it is today. The increased access to materials that before were either cost-prohibitive or exclusively accessible by industry folks has all but diminished, and self-distribution is as simple as uploading your film to YouTube. Sure, it’s more involved than that as Sean Baker referenced during his Independent Spirit Award acceptance speech about the dire prospects for indie filmmakers the good news for genre fans is that streaming services have helped to really carry the weight for horror the last few years. One such streamer is the Cineverse-backed Screambox which has been on an acquisition spree it seems, and recently added 2023’s “Cannibal Comedian” to their forthcoming March line-up!
“Cannibal Comedian” is the brainchild of Writer/Director Sean Haitz and will get physical media distribution by Scream Team Releasing while the film will stream on Screambox. We haven’t gotten a chance to catch the film, but this news is exciting for indie film fans and those who are curious about the long, hard road it takes to get a film to a partner that can help get more eyes on it. Check out the release details and trailer below, and keep your eyes peeled and your stomach empty for “Cannibal Comedian” this Spring!
From The Press Release
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) and its horror division Bloody Disgusting’s streaming platform SCREAMBOX along with Scream Team Releasing have acquired North American rights to Cannibal Comedian, set for a March release.
A twisted mix of gut-busting laughs and terrifying thrills, the genre-bending slasher flick promises to push the boundaries of horror and humor in an unforgettable cinematic experience with a fresh and unique voice.
Written and directed by Sean Haitz (Big Top Evil), Cannibal Comedian tells the story of a psychopathic cannibal who is fed up with his lack of ambition and takes a stab at stand-up comedy in an attempt to chase both his dreams and his victims.
The film stars Aaron Prager (Haunted House of Pancakes), Austin Judd (Big Top Evil), Robert Dunne (Criminal Minds), and horror veterans Allen Danziger and Edwin Neal, best known for their iconic roles in Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as “Jerry” and “The Hitchhiker” respectively, a role Neal reprised in Gun Interactive’s 2023 video game by the same name. This reunion also marks Danziger’s first return to horror in 50 years, which sparked continued interest with his next project, The WeedHacker Massacre, also bringing a comedy twist. Their involvement is sure to be a nostalgic treat for horror fans.
The festival favorite took top honors in Marina Del Rey, Silicon Beach at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre, Culver City, Days of the Dead, HorrorHound, and Houston Horror to name a few. The film even caught the attention of horror host Joe Bob Briggs (Shudder’s The Last Drive-In), who presented the production team with a Hubbie award at his World Drive-In Jamboree, and filmmaker Kevin Smith (Clerks, Jay & Silent Bob), who hosted it at his Smodcastle Film Festival.
“We are thrilled to partner with Cineverse and Scream Team Releasing to bring Cannibal Comedian to the horror and stand-up comedy fans,” says Haitz. “I think people are really going to eat it up! It’s a love letter to my favorite horror classics like Texas Chainsaw and comedies such as Ace Ventura. When I first moved out to Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to try my hand at stand-up and quickly realized how brutal it was, but for the main character of ‘Charlie,’ he kills both on stage and off stage.”
The deal was negotiated by Brandon Hill, Executive Director, Acquisitions, on behalf of Cineverse, Scream Team Releasing Founder Justin M. Seaman with Head of Acquisitions Mark Reyes, and Haitz’ Happy Fright Films label alongside producer Ryan James (Chasing Chasing Amy) of Pink Plaid Productions.
“Excited to be working with Sean, Ryan and Scream Team Releasing on Cannibal Comedian,” says Hill. “They’ve put together a really fun and dynamic film and our Screambox and Bloody Disgusting audience will really chew into it.”
Cineverse, known for its commitment to bringing thrilling content such as the box office smash-hit Terrifier franchise and the upcoming remake of The Toxic Avenger to audiences nationwide, will release the film across its wide distribution footprint – including SCREAMBOX, its horror streaming platform that caters to the genre’s most devoted followers, powered by Bloody Disgusting, the trusted source for horror news, reviews, and features – in the U.S. and Canada.
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