Variance Picks Up Steve James' Doc 'Head Games'

Variance Films has acquired theatrical rights to Head Games, Steve James’ documentary about sports and traumatic head injuries. The distributor plans to release the film theatrically in selected cities Sept. 21 and then expand throughout top markets in September and October.

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Audiences also will have the opportunity to bring the film to their local theaters using Tugg, a new collective-action web platform that enables individuals to choose the films to play in their local theaters.

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Inspired by events recounted in the book Head Games, written by former Ivy League football star and WWE wrestler Christopher Nowinski, the film features interviews with Nowinski, NBC Sports’ Bob Costas, NHL All-Star Keith Primeau, and Olympic women’s soccer gold medalist Cindy Parlow Cone, among others.

“At Variance, we truly believe that documentary films can, and often do, change the world,” Variance founder Dylan Marchetti said. “Our hope is that this film helps pull back the curtain on an issue that needs to be higher up on the list for parents, coaches, and athletes alike.”

“This is a film that I hope reaches a broad audience and, in particular, amateur athletes and their families – who really need to become better informed on this huge public health issue,” said James, whose documentaries also include Hoop Dreams and The Interrupters.