EXCLUSIVE: Vertical has acquired North American rights to Susanna Fogels winnera political dramedy based on the true story of NSA whistleblower Reality Winner (Emilia Jones) that world premiered at Sundance 2024. Also with Connie Britton (Nashville), Zach Galifianakis (A Wrinkle in Time), Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) and Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick), the film is scheduled to hit theaters this year.
Written by Fogel and Kerry Howley, winner adapts a 2017 New York Magazine piece by the latter. This is the coming-of-age story of Reality Winner, a brilliant young outsider from Texas whose morals are questioned during her service in the US Air Force and her work as an NSA contractor. Reality is a sarcastic, gun-loving vegan, yogi and CrossFit fanatic. She’s an unconventional heroine who finds herself prosecuted for her truth-telling after being arrested on suspicion of leaking a secret intelligence report about Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The film is a 1Community, ShivHans Pictures, Dual Citizen Production in association with Big Beach and is produced by Amanda Phillips, Fogel, Shivani Rawat, Julie Goldstein, Scott Budnick and Ameet Shukla. Executive producers include Dani Melia, Peter Saraf, Daniel Bekerman, Myron John Tataryn, Terry Dougas, Connor Flanagan, Ben Yano, Michael B. Clark and Alex Turtletaub. The architect is handling all international sales and will show the film to buyers in Cannes.
In a statement to Deadline, Fogel noted: “The reality is far from what many may think they know about it. She’s a hilarious, headstrong jock-nerd hybrid who risks her freedom to tell the truth. We found the perfect partners in the Vertical team who got exactly what we wanted and the film’s potential to reach and entertain a wide audience.”
Vertical partner Peter Jarowey explained: “winner is a dark comedy that director Susanna Fogel has brilliantly brought to life and for which she has recruited a great cast that deliver exceptional performances. We believe the film will not only entertain general audiences but will also resonate with Millennials and Generation Z, who are most drawn to coming-of-age storylines.”
Jarowey and SVP of Acquisition Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal for Vertical on behalf of the production with UTA’s Independent Film Group.