First Run Croons to SilverDocs’ “Making the Boys”

First Run Features has picked up North American rights to Crayton Robey’s “Making the Boys” on the eve of its North American debut at SilverDocs. The distributor plans a fall theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles, to be followed by a slow roll out across North America.

The film tells the story of Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking play “The Boys in the Band” – from overnight sensation on Broadway, to Hollywood’s first gay movie, to cultural landmark and worldwide phenomenon – all the while having a complicated and sometimes controversial relationship with the gay community. The small Off-Broadway production had a major impact on the social climate of the 1960s and was an important cultural beacon for gay people at the time, many of whom were closeted.

The film’s director and producers came together through the All Access program at The Tribeca Film Institute. Originally shown as a work-in-progress at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009, the doc had it’s World Premiere at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival and will screen at SilverDocs in the coming days.

“When I first saw Crayton’s film, I was spellbound,” said First Run Features President Seymour Wishman in a statement. “His skill in making a film that so captures the era of ‘The Boys in the Band’ is simply astounding. I’m confident we can find a wide and receptive audience for this important, revealing and entertaining film.”

“Making the Boys” was produced by Douglas Tirola and Susan Bedusa of 4th Row Films.