The latest deal for NZ film from Cannes, France -- Miramax Films has acquired the North American rights to the offbeat comedy Eagle vs. Shark, it was announced today by company president Daniel Battsek. The film, Academy Award ®-nominee Taika Waititi's debut feature, was shot on location in and around Wellington, New Zealand and is now in post-production. Eagle vs. Shark is a wry and comic tale of two awkward misfits, Lily (Loren Horsley) and Jarrod (Jemain Clement; right), searching for acceptance.
The latest deal for NZ film from Cannes, France -- Miramax Films has acquired the North American rights to the offbeat comedy Eagle vs. Shark, it was announced today by company president Daniel Battsek. The film, Academy Award ®-nominee Taika Waititi's debut feature, was shot on location in and around Wellington, New Zealand and is now in post-production. Eagle vs. Shark is a wry and comic tale of two awkward misfits, Lily (Loren Horsley) and Jarrod (Jemain Clement; right), searching for acceptance.
Developed at the Directors and Screenwriters Lab at the Sundance Institute, the film stars New Zealanders Loren Horsley as Lily and Jemaine Clement as Jarrod. Horsley also developed the character while collaborating with Waititi on the script. Ainsley Gardiner and Cliff Curtis of Whenua Films are producers. Clement recently starred in the acclaimed HBO Comedy special, "One Night Stand 59: Flight of the Conchords".

Waititi received an Oscar ® nomination for his short "Two Cars One Night" and received the Special Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival for his short "Tama tu."

"As a fan of Taika Waititi's short film prior to Cannes, I was eager to see what he would come up with next. Once we saw the unusually witty footage from 'Eagle vs. Shark,' there was no question that we had to act fast. We think his quirky sense of humor will translate well to US audiences and feel this film is a great addition to Miramax's growing slate," said Battsek.

The project was brought to Miramax by Peter Lawson, vp acquisitions, who will oversee the project with Keri Putnam, president of production and Kristin Jones, svp production, international development & acquisitions.

Michael Luisi, evp business affairs negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio with Kathleen Drumm and Catherine Juniot representing New Zealand Film.