Dogwoof Will Distribute Sundance New Frontier Documentary ‘Zikr: A Sufi Revival’
In a deal brokered yesterday — the final day of the 34th annual Sundance Film Festival — Dogwoof purchased worldwide distribution rights to “Zikr: A Sufi Revival,” by director Gabo Arora. A U.K. company founded in 2004, Dogwoof has released 18 Oscar-nominated documentaries, plus films like “Blackfish” (2013) and “Weiner” (2016), two of the most popular investigative films ever to premiere at Sundance.
The first virtual-reality documentary to come away from the festival with a buyer, “Zikr” debuted as part of the New Frontiers section on January 19.
Sufism is often referred to as “Islamic mysticism,” and this film takes its name from a song-and-dance-based devotion exercise in which followers praise Allah. Currently, four people at once can take part in the interactive VR experience. The purchasing agreement stipulates that additional funds will be allocated to develop the program, with the intent of making an online version available to a users around the world.
“Zikr” installations are planned for theaters and cultural institutions. Jennifer Tiexiera produced “Zikr;” Reza Aslan, Mayhad Tousi, Mohab Tarek Khattab, Eva L. Burns, and Cameron Brodie executive produced.
Arora created “Zikr” with John Fitzgerald and Matthew Niederhauser. He co-founded Tomorrow Never Knows, the new start-up focusing on VR, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence that chose “Zikr” as its first public project, a collaboration with fellow technology studios Sensorium and Superbright. Previously, he helped created the United Natons’ VR app, the platform for his films “Clouds Over Sidra” and “My Mother’s Wing.”
“‘Zikr’ is a gem,” said Dogwoof founder Andy Whittaker in an official statement. “A profoundly moving VR experience, which will change people’s perspectives. We cannot wait to show it to international festivals, theaters, museums and art venues,” he continued, suggesting that it could connect with audiences on the same scale as two-time Best Director Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s “Carne y Arena,” a VR exhibit on immigrants and refugees now on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
“Andy and his team at Dogwoof, have proven themselves over and over with their work in traditional documentary,” Arora said in an official statement, adding, “I am honored to be joining their award winning catalog,” one that includes 2017 Academy Award winner “O.J.: Made in America.”
Fellow New Frontier selection “Spheres” — a three-part VR series executive produced by Darren Aronofsky — sold to CityLights last week, a buy reported valued in the seven-figure range.
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
