Worldwide rights to the documentary The Champions have been acquired by FilmRise.
The doc, directed by Darcy Dennett, follows the story of five pit bulls rescued from Atlanta Falcon’s star quarterback, Michael Vick’s dog-fighting ring, as they are rescued and retrained. Authorities seized more than 70 dogs, mostly pit bulls, in 2007 after raiding Vick’s property in Virginia.
The film had its premiere at the Hamptons International Film Festival, where it won the 2015 Zelda Penzel “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” Award.
“The Champions is a story about hope and resilience, but most importantly, the relationship we as humans have with animals,” said FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher. “We are honored to be bringing its message to a global audience.”
Preferred Content and Franklin Weinrib negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
FilmRise recently acquired the highest grossing film in China’s history Monster Hunt, as well as the Janis Joplin doc Janis: Little Girl Blue from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg.
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