AUSTIN (April 6, 2016) — SUPERGRAVITY Pictures announces a special pre-release screening of GAYBY BABY in Austin on Wednesday, April 20, 2015 at 7PM at Alamo Drafthouse Village, 2700 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757. SUPERGRAVITY Pictures recently acquired rights to Maya Newell’s award-winning documentary feature (GAYBY BABY) and will distribute the film this spring. The release is in partnership with Heard Well, the first music label powered by social tastemakers. Event theatrical screenings for GAYBY BABY started April 1, 2016, ahead of the VOD/EST release date of May 1, 2016, including Austin on April 20th.
GAYBY BABY is a gripping portrait of four Australian kids – Gus, Ebony, Matt and Graham – whose parents all happen to be gay. As they each wrestle with their own unique challenges, the outside world wrestles with the issue of marriage equality, and whether or not kids like them are at risk. GAYBY BABY is a rare feature documentary told from the perspective of kids in gay and lesbian families. The film is a microcosm of what children in same-sex marriages experience across the globe.
With GAYBY BABY, SUPERGRAVITY continues to blaze a trail with innovative feature film social marketing and distribution. The timing of the May 1st release coincides with International Family Equality Day. SUPERGRAVITY is also partnering with LGBT and family equality organizations worldwide including the Family Equality Council and COLAGE, to both host theatrical screenings and participate in a digital viewing party urging participants “PRESS PLAY for Family Equality on May 1.”
After screening to packed audiences at the Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Doc NYC and Hot Docs in Toronto, picking up awards and award nominations including the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival and for Best Documentary at AACTA (Australian Film Institute) and AFCA (Australian Film Critics Association), this award-winning film is coming to worldwide audiences this spring.
The film created so much controversy that it was banned from screening in schools in New South Wales (Australia) by a right-wing conservative push against it which only increased its popularity. In fact, Newell was recently listed #1 on the Whicker’s World Foundation’s Top Women to Watch in Documentary on International Women’s Day, and the exponentially growing community of supporters of the film along with the families that are featured in it made headlines all over Australia and beyond, from The Guardian to Al Jazeera, during the 38th Annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
“We have a truly special film here,” said SUPERGRAVITY Pictures founder Marc Hustvedt. “SUPERGRAVITY is honored to bring this groundbreaking documentary to audiences across the globe and help amplify the conversation around family equality. We are taking a very hands-on approach in building a groundswell of support around the film’s release in theaters and on screens of all sizes.”
Heard Well helped curate music for the film and recently announced its partnership with Sony Music’s RED Distribution.
“This film is so powerful. It sheds a new light on same-sex parenting through a unique perspective and unlikely voice, children,” said Heard Well co-founder and YouTube star Connor Franta. “I am honored to be a part of this movement via Gayby Baby and help bring this important message to the masses through thoughtful soundtrack curation and marketing.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with SUPERGRAVITY on the marketing, music and release of Gayby Baby,” said Heard Well co-founder Andrew Graham. “Between SUPERGRAVITY’s innovative marketing and Heard Well’s deep relationships in the influencer community, we believe we can bring this film’s important message to market in an entirely new, impactful manner.”
Additional key supporters of GAYBY BABY include Victoria’s Secret model Josephine Skriver and LGBT rights activist Zach Wahls.
“With two lesbian mothers, I grew up amongst the images of heterosexual families – on TV, in movies, in advertising and at school.” Said director Maya Newell. “We made Gayby Baby because even though families like mine are not featured on billboards, Gayby children have existed for generations and have a unique perspective on the world. We are the gayby-boomers, a growing international community and we have stories to tell.”
“The stories and issues relating to same-sex parented families transcend nationality, so I’m delighted to be releasing the film in time for International Day of Families.” Said producer Charlotte Mars. “I can’t wait for people to meet Gus, Ebony, Matt and Graham – they are incredibly funny, sensitive and witty young people who give me great hope for the future: yes, the kids are alright. Now we just need the rest of the world to catch up.”
GAYBY BABY was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2016 Australian Film Critics Association Awards, scored 1st runner up for Best Documentary at the 2015 Sydney Film Festival and was nominated for a 2016 AACTA Award for Best Feature Length Documentary by the Australian Film Institute. They raised more than $100,000 via crowdfunding, a record at the time for any Australian documentary.
About SUPERGRAVITY Pictures
SUPERGRAVITY Pictures produces, markets, and distributes long-form filmed entertainment directly to passionate audiences around the world. SUPERGRAVITY previously released the Justin Chon and Kevin Wu starring buddy comedy MAN UP, the highly buzzed thriller THE CHOSEN starring Kian Lawley (which hit #1 on the iTunes Horror chart), and PREMATURE, a comedy special with Elliott Morgan. The studio has a deep pipeline of projects coming in 2016 and is in production on a Ray William Johnson hosted documentary feature film. SUPERGRAVITY was founded in late 2014 by Max Benator and Marc Hustvedt. To learn more, please visit supergravity.co.
About Heard Well
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Heard Well is the first music label entirely powered by social tastemakers and their communities. At Heard Well, founding partners Connor Franta, Andrew Graham, and Jeremy Wineberg, leaders in the digital media and music spaces, seek out and spotlight emerging talent in the music industry and pair them with influencers. Heard Well simultaneously gives influencers a platform to showcase their genuine love of music, while also monetizing the artistry of their music partners. The label has helped to expose some of today’s top artists. Albums released through the label have consistently placed in the top-ten on the Billboard and iTunes Top Charts. To learn more, please visit heardwell.com.