‘Red Bird’ Lands CIS Deal; ‘Step Back, Doors Closing’ at TIFFCOM

By Elena Vasquez

Cappu Films sold the French action film “Red Bird” to Kinologistika LLC for the CIS region at the Tokyo International Film Festival’s TIFFCOM market. Cappu said the territory covers Russia and other former Soviet states.

The company also took on international sales for the American independent romance “Step Back, Doors Closing” at the same market. Cappu brought both titles to international buyers in Tokyo.

Cappu’s slate shows two sales stages: “Red Bird” has a regional buyer, while “Step Back, Doors Closing” still seeks international partners.

What is “Red Bird” about, and who made it?

Cappu Films’ credits identify the film’s directors and cast:

• Directors: Alexandre Laugier, Thomas Habibes and Houssam Adili, drawing on stunt-work and martial-arts backgrounds.
• Lead roles: Thomas Habibes and Houssam Adili.
• Supporting cast: Eric Delcourt, Jean-Louis Tribes and Jean-Marie Paris.

According to Cappu Films, Max begins searching after his father, who worked covertly as Red Bird, dies in unexplained circumstances, taking his friend Sam with him into a perilous plot.

Shot in Marseille, the independently made production makes physical action its main emphasis. According to Cappu Films, SOUTHfilms produced the film, which was released in French cinemas in January.

“‘Red Bird’ brings the energy of its filmmakers and stunt team directly to the screen. We’re pleased to have secured a CIS deal and look forward to introducing the film to more distributors in Tokyo,” said Janice Woo of Cappu Films.

In plain terms, Kinologistika is the named CIS buyer, while Cappu still wants more distributors.

How does “Step Back, Doors Closing” unfold?

Cappu Films credited Carter Ward as writer and director. Ward produced the film with Jane Hollon and Kathryn Crabtree.

• Leads: Carmen Berkeley and Reilly Walters.
• Co-stars: Michelle Macedo, Ashley Romans and Mershad Torabi.

Across 24 hours, Ryan and Julisa, two strangers who meet on a Washington, D.C. Metro train, move through the city and discuss what they want and what scares them as a romance takes hold.

“Step Back, Doors Closing” bowed at Los Angeles’ Dances With Films in 2024. Freestyle Digital Media released it in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Cappu is seeking partners in other territories, the company said.

“I could not be more proud or excited to partner with Cappu Films. Their support means the world not only to myself, but our entire cast and crew. We can’t wait for international audiences to see the version of Washington, D.C. we know and love.

One where meet-cutes are still possible, and single weekends can change the trajectory of our lives forever,” said Ward of Arden Pictures.

In plain terms, Freestyle released the film in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean, while Cappu is seeking partners elsewhere.

What does Cappu Films’ catalog include?

According to Cappu Films, the company works with independent filmmakers on both arthouse and commercial titles across a library spanning action, horror, fantasy, arthouse fare, television series and Hong Kong cinema’s golden-era classics.

Plainly, the broad catalog gives Cappu two immediate tests: more Tokyo distributors for “Red Bird” and partners in other territories for “Step Back, Doors Closing.”