Searchlight Pictures has signed a first-look film and television deal with Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton, and Coco Francini's production company, Dirty Films. The agreement will allow the studio to develop and produce feature films and streaming series with the company. This partnership builds on their prior collaborations.
Searchlight Pictures announced a first-look pact with Dirty Films, the production company founded by Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton, and Coco Francini. Under the deal, Searchlight will develop and produce feature-length motion pictures and series for streaming under its Searchlight Television banner.
Matthew Greenfield, president of Searchlight Pictures, stated, “Dirty Films has consistently championed distinctive voices and ambitious storytelling. Cate, Andrew and Coco are singular creative partners and we’re thrilled to continue our commitment to filmmaker-driven cinema with this collaboration.”
Blanchett, Upton, and Francini responded, “We are honored to partner with Searchlight Pictures, whose passion for cinema and deeply collaborative ethos align seamlessly with our own. Together with Matthew Greenfield and his exceptional team, we look forward to championing bold, entertaining, and provocative storytelling across film and television for audiences worldwide.”
This marks a continuation of Blanchett's relationship with Searchlight, where she made her international feature debut in “Paradise Road.” She has also starred in the studio's “Nightmare Alley,” directed by Guillermo del Toro, and “Notes on a Scandal,” directed by Richard Eyre, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Blanchett has won two Academy Awards for her roles in films including “Blue Jasmine,” “The Aviator,” “Carol,” and “Tár.”
Recently, Searchlight and Dirty Films completed production on “Sweetsick,” Alice Birch's directorial debut starring Blanchett. Other recent Dirty Films projects include Jenny Suen’s “Peaches,” the Zellner Brothers’ “Alpha Gang,” Warwick Thornton’s “The New Boy,” Christos Nikou’s “Fingernails,” the podcast “Climate of Change,” and the VR experience “Evolver.”
The deal was negotiated by Paul Hoffman for Searchlight Pictures, with CAA representing Dirty Films.
