Ruth Bader Ginsburg Doc ‘RBG’ Sells to Dogwoof for U.K. (Exclusive)

RBG, the acclaimed smash-hit documentary looking into the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has been picked up by Dogwoof for the U.K. and Ireland.

The film, directed and produced by Betsy West and Julie Cohen for Storyville Films, first bowed in Sundance and has gone on to earn in excess of $13 million in the U.S. so far, becoming one of the most successful independent films of the year. RBG was co-distributed by Participant Media and Magnolia Pictures, while CNN Films, which exec produced, retains U.S. television rights.

The deal was negotiated between Oli Harbottle, head of distribution and acquisitions at Dogwoof, and Lorna Lee Torres, head of international sales at Magnolia Pictures, on behalf of Magnolia and Participant. Dogwoof is set to release the film in early 2019. 

“The current world needs fearless champions of justice like RBG more than ever, and the extraordinary box-office success of the film in the U.S. reinforces this,” said Harbottle. “We’re looking forward to introducing this inspirational character to U.K. audiences, a role model for us all.”

Added Torres: “This heartwarming and inspiring documentary is touching so many in the U.S.; it’s a true pleasure to see the film spreading around the world now. We’re incredibly happy that Dogwoof’s strong and passionate team is bringing RBG to U.K. theaters.”

Krista Wegener, senior vp sales and distribution at Participant, said: “RBG has become a cultural phenomenon here in the U.S. tied to the lasting legacy of Justice Ginsburg, though her continued fight for gender equality is a global issue. We are thrilled to partner again with Dogwoof, whose commitment to such previous films as Best of Enemies, 3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets, Unknown Known, Food, Inc. — and now RBG — has exposed a myriad of important themes to U.K. audiences.”

Alongside Ginsburg herself, RBG features Jane and James Ginsburg, Clara Spera, Gloria Steinem, Nina Totenberg, Lilly Ledbetter, Bill Clinton. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson sings the film’s anthem, “I’ll Fight,” written and arranged by nine-time Oscar-nominated and Grammy-, Emmy-, and Golden Globe-winning songwriter Diane Warren.