Freestyle Digital Media Receives Rights to DEADLINE

Freestyle Digital Media announced today that they have acquired all DVD and cable and internet VOD rights to DEADLINE, a fact-based mystery-thriller from director Curt Hahn ("No Regrets") that is based on a script by novelist Mark Ethridge. Starring Steve Talley ("Love Bites"), Academy Award-nominee Eric Roberts ("Runaway Train"), Anna Felix ("Crazy Heart") and Lauren Jenkins ("Tough Trade"), the film, which was produced by Hahn and Molly M. Mayeux ("I Will Follow"), is slated for a release on July 17th.

DEADLINE is inspired by the true-crime story of the murder of an African American youth in rural Alabama that has gone uninvestigated, unsolved and unpunished for almost twenty years. That all changes when Nashville Times reporter Matt Harper (Talley) meets an idealistic blue blood bent on discovering the truth. Harper, aided by grizzled veteran newsman Ronnie Bullock (Roberts), undertakes the investigation despite the opposition of his publisher, violent threats from local forces, a break-up with his fiancé and his father's cancer diagnosis. DEADLINE is a tale of murder, family, race, and of redemption for a small Southern town, depicting the power of forgiveness on all fronts.

The deal for the domestic rights was negotiated by FDM's CEO Susan Jackson and Transcendent's Ron Routson.

"Freestyle Digital Media is happy to continue our relationship with this very timely film. Freestyle Releasing handled the theatrical and we look forward to the next phase of the release," Jackson said.

DEADLINE, which is infused with themes of forgiveness, redemption and faith, was awarded the Dove Foundation's seal of approval for family audiences. The Dove "Family Approved Seal" is awarded to movies, DVDs, made for TV movies and specials, books and other entertainment products that portray and encourage positive values.

Freestyle Digital Media's recent slate of releases includes the critically-acclaimed Filipino horror-thriller THE ROAD from director Yam Laranas. In addition, DEADHEADS, the acclaimed horror-comedy from directors Brett and Drew Pierce, SWINGING WITH THE FINKELS starring MAndy Moore and directed by JoNathan Newman, and TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN directed by Stuart Beattie, which also marked the first feature film to debut on Facebook.