Borderline Films, the company behind the Sundance hit Martha Marcy May Marlene, has signed a two-year first-look deal with Fox Searchlight, the studio that picked up the the Elizabeth Olsen-starring psychological thriller during the festival. Borderline Films was launched in 2003 by Antonio Campos, Sean Durkin and Josh Mon, who rotate their roles as writer, director and producer. “Sean, Antonio and Josh are an exciting talent collective with unique voices and a bold vision,” said Searchlight presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, who announced the deal today. “They are not afraid to challenge audiences with thought provoking films. We are thrilled to be in business with them and look forward to a very creative partnership.” UTA’s David Flynn, Melissa Breaux at Washington Square Arts and attorney Peter Nelson repped the filmmakers in the deal; Searchlight was repped by SVP Megan O’Brien. SVP Production Zola Mashariki will oversee Borderline’s production slate.


Nice going. Lets inject some fresh indie filmmaking in this putrid tent-pole cesspool.
Steve…Nancy…all this based on one movie? So many of these one time wonders and you bought into this? Amusing
Afterschool was pathetic. Still have to Mancy Fancy Pancy Marlyn or whatever it is.
Have to disagree with the previous comment–Afterschool was terrific and it’s very good news to hear that Searchlight is making a deal with these producers.
Probably just a first look deal in name only–unlikely Searchlight is actually paying for any overhead. Borderline just gets to say they have a first look deal at the studio, which gives them credibility and access at the agencies, management companies, and with financiers.
FOX, I do not want to see you guys have misses again, go for hits only….
From now on go with big projects also especially with James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorcesse , Oliver Stone etc…. Go with talented actors / actresses such as Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Russell Crowe in action epics, Angelina Jolie in action movies….avoid buying films attached with ” washed up actors ” or actors young or older don’t matter, if you see that their other movies don’t sell, don’t pick up their movies, it’s an indication that the fans are not into them…..I don’t want to see you guys lose money like the last comedy with Steve Martin, Jack Black, Owen Wilson….do your home work and see who the audiences like and willing to pay their money to see…don’t go with Hollywood hype, they’re wrong most of the time…..listen to your own advise after you do your home work on ” box office results ” based on both star / co star…..and new ideas for animation is great too….times have changed, your audience is seeking for something else in the cinema…..think ” pure, great story, and great acting “……good luck! Mull over each project carefully before you spend money on it….make ” wise, sharp business decisions only “.
Afterschool, what a weakly directed film, sorry to say.
Typical grad film student who wants to make a directorial point by placing the camera at a distance from its characters and from behind their heads just to me “different” and “interesting”. PASS.