First Run Features announced today the acquisition of Garrett Zevgetis’ documentary “Best and Most Beautiful Things,” a unique coming-of-age story that celebrates outcasts everywhere. Produced by Zevgetis (“A Mercenary Tale”), Ariana Garfinkel (“Trumbo”), Jeff Consiglio (“Twinsters”) and Jordan Salvatoriello (“Graceland Girls”), the film is executive produced by Kevin S. Bright (“Friends”) and Claudia Bright. The film premiered to critical and audience acclaim at the 2016 SXSW Film Festival and is enjoying a very successful festival run, receiving standing ovations and winning awards along the way, including a Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature at Independent Film Festival Boston, Special Jury Award for Individuality of the Human Spirit at the Florida Film Festival, and Best of Festival Award from Superfest International Disability Film Festival. First Run Features plans a December 2016 theatrical release for the film. Preferred Content represented the filmmakers in the deal.
Set in rural Maine, the film follows a bright and magnetic 20-year-old woman named Michelle Smith who breaks free from isolation through a provocative sexual awakening. Legally blind and diagnosed on the autism spectrum, Michelle defies labels as she chases big dreams with humor and bold curiosity. Searching for community, Michelle explores romance and empowerment outside the limits of “normal.” Impressionistic visuals and sound design accompany this joyful story of self-discovery.
Zevgetis met Smith when he was volunteering at Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, MA. Coincidentally, Bright had taught a film class at Perkins and Smith was one of his students. They joined forces to make “Best and Most Beautiful Things,” Zevgetis’ first feature.
“This film has been a team effort for over six years, starting with the courage of Michelle and her family,” said Zevgetis. “We’re honored to work with such an esteemed and adventurous company as First Run Features to share Michelle’s story. The love we get from audiences everywhere is overwhelming. It’s a film for anyone who grew up feeling different.”
“I met Michelle as her teacher, but she continues to teach and inform me,” said Bright. “She challenges the rest of us to step out of our comfort zone and be open to different people and lifestyles. This film has been one of the most satisfying experiences in my career.”
The film was produced by Only Bright Productions and Beacon Street Films, in association with Carriage House Pictures and VFRFilms. Additional funding and support was provided by LEF Foundation’s Moving Image Fund and IFP’s Independent Film Week.
Marc Mauceri, VP of First Run Features, said in a statement: “We at First Run are honored and excited to work with Garrett and the filmmaking team on the release of ‘Best and Most Beautiful Things,’ one of the most enlightening, enjoyable and moving films we’ve had the pleasure to watch. We are especially looking forward to helping to bring the film to the disability community, though we also know that all audiences will fall in love with it.”
In theaters in December
