Film Movement Sashays to “Dance”

British director Beadie Finzi’s Portuguese-language doc feature “Only When I Dance” has been picked up by North American distributor Film Movement. The film, which features several young ballet prospects, including Irlan Silva, who is currently touring with the junior company of American Ballet Theater, will have a limited theatrical release and Video on Demand release in the Summer of 2010.

Film Movement’s president Adley Gartenstein and VP of distribution, Rebeca Conget negotiated the pact with Nikki Parrot of Tigerlily Films.

“Only When I Dance” follows two young teenagers, Isabela and Irlan, two poor kids living in a violent favela on the outskirts of Rio. Their ambition is to leave Brazil and join one of the dance companies of North America. For them, dance is the way out, an escape, and on stage it brings them to a state of ecstasy that is rarely found in their day-to-day lives.

“This inspirational film has been charming festival audiences around the world, and now it is time for its infectious joie de vivre to hit North American theaters and homes,” said Gartenstein in a statement about the acquisition. “We are thrilled to be its distributor and make this happen.”

Launched in 2003, Film Movement is a “full-service” North American distributor of independent and foreign films, based in New York City. Film Movement has released more than 150 feature films and shorts from 37 countries on six continents, including top prize winners from Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, Tribeca and other festivals.