here! Films, the theatrical distribution and worldwide sales division of here! Networks, is pleased to announce that it has acquired North American distribution rights to "TRU LOVED," a groundbreaking drama focusing on LGBTQ youth and their families. Regent Releasing, here! Films sister company, will release the film in select theaters this fall."We are honored to bring Stewart Wade's accomplished and transformative second feature to U.S. audiences this fall," said Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions, Regent. "'TRU LOVED' falls squarely into our company mission by offering us an opportunity to showcase emerging talent while providing entertainment that fosters change and creates understanding around important real-life issues facing LGBTQ youth and their families."
"TRU LOVED," written and directed by Stewart Wade ("Coffee Date") tells the story of Tru, a sixteen year old uprooted by her lesbian moms from her gay-friendly home in San Francisco and moved to a conservative community in Southern California. Tru's only friend is a closeted football player, and that friendship is jeopardized when she starts the school's first Gay-Straight Alliance.
Produced by BrownBag Productions, "TRU LOVED" stars Najarra Townsend ("Me And You And Everyone We Know"), Alec Mapa ("Ugly Betty"), Bruce Vilanch ("Hairspray"), Nichelle Nichols ("Heroes"), Jasmine Guy ("A Different World"). Alexandra Paul ("Baywatch"), Cynda Williams ("Tales of the City"), Jake Abel ("The Lovely Bones"), Matthew Thompson ("Drake and Josh") and Jane Lynch ("The 40 Year Old Virgin").
The film's producer, Antonio Brown of Brown Bag Productions, along with Eric Borsum, the film's Executive in Charge of Community Partnerships, formed early alliances with numerous organizations, including Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); the Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network); the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), and others; the support of these groups has been vital to early positive word-of-mouth on the film.
"Seeing positive, healthy images of GLBT people and their families...is critical in transforming hearts and minds," said PFLAG Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby, who during production presented director Wade with PFLAG's "Focus on Equality" Award. "'Tru Loved' does this perfectly, and shows how, alongside our straight allies, we all can create real change."
"We've been fortunate to work with strong organizations like PFLAG, the ACLU and GSA Network since the beginning of the process of making this film," said Antonio Brown, "Now, with Regent on board, we really believe that our mission of entertaining people while at the same time educating them around LGBTQ issues will be realized."
here! Films sister company Regent Releasing will handle the film's theatrical release during the fall of 2008.