Yahoo Lifestyle IDFA-Premiering Documentary ‘The Shepherd and the Bear’ Bought by Jour2Fete for French Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)
Jour2Fête has acquired French distribution rights to Max Keegan’s “The Shepherd and the Bear” out of IDFA and is planning to release the film theatrically in 2025.
“The Shepherd and the Bear” will have its world premiere as the closing night film of the 2024 Camden International Film Festival in Maine. The documentary feature had its international premiere at IDFA, where it was nominated for best first feature.
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The deal was negotiated by Elizabeth Woodward for Willa and Etienne Ollagnier and Sarah Chazelle for Jour2Fête. Willa is handling international sales on the film. Submarine Entertainment is handling domestic sales.
Set high in the majestic French Pyrenees, “The Shepherd and The Bear” explores a conflict provoked by the reintroduction of brown bears in the midst of a traditional shepherding community. The film follows an aging shepherd who struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with tracking the bears.
“’The Shepherd and The Bear’ is an intimate film that explores the extraordinary lives of the inhabitants of a small corner of the dramatic French Pyrénées,” said Keegan. “The response has been overwhelming and we look forward to sharing the story with audiences in its country of origin.”
Woodward pointed out the docu is a “French story, shot in France, and we know Jour 2 Fête will help to cultivate a strong community for the film in its release.” She said Jour2Fête is “a prestigious leader in the theatrical distribution space with impeccable taste, will be sharing our film with audiences in France.”
Ollagnier said the banner was “very impressed when we first discovered (“The Shepherd and The Bear”) both by its story and by the film’s formal mastery,” as well as “captivated by the film’s colorful characters.”
The film is edited by Sabine Emiliani (“March of the Penguins”) and the score is composed by Amine Bouhafa (“Four Daughters”). Producers on the film include Elizabeth Woodward for Willa, Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine for Mile End Films, Max Keegan for Salthill Films. Co-producer on the film is Eleonore Voisard.
The film is executive produced by Jenny Raskin and Kelsey Koenig for Impact Partners, Jessamine Burgum and Kara Durrett for Pinky Promise Films, Johannes Arver, Emily Reedy and Bill Reedy, Robina Riccitello, Nancy Stephens, Rick Rosenthal, Andrea van Beuren and Christine Woodhouse.
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