Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, Inc., (www.es.tv) has announced the independent producer/distributor’s first motion picture acquisition – "Friend Request" – for North American distribution through its recently-purchased theatrical distribution company Freestyle Releasing.
The horror/thriller film "Friend Request" marks the first official acquisition since the Byron Allen-owned independent studio closed the deal to purchase the Los Angeles-based independent film distribution company Freestyle Releasing in October. The acquisition of "Friend Request" also marks the first time Freestyle Releasing will extend its services beyond its traditional “service only” theatrical distribution business model.
"Friend Request" stars Alycia Debnam-Carey as college student ‘Laura’ who faces unexpected and grave consequences when she unfriends on social media a mysterious female loner from her high school. Soon after Laura’s un-friending, she and her closest friends find themselves stalked by a demonic force. "Friend Request" also stars Brit Morgan, William Moseley, and Connor Paolo, and was directed by Simon Verhoeven, from a screenplay by Verhoeven, Matthew Ballen, and Philip Koch.
The deal was negotiated by Freestyle Releasing Head of Acquisitions Chris Charalambous and WME Global on behalf of German-based producers Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann of Wiedemann & Berg Film.
"Friend Request" is set for a fourth quarter 2016 wide release throughout North America.
“We at Entertainment Studios are excited to further extend our global media footprint with our new feature film division Freestyle Releasing,” said Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Entertainment Studios. “The movie FRIEND REQUEST is a fast-paced, psychological horror/thriller that I am sure will have audiences overwhelmed and on the edge of their seats!!!”