"Io Capitano" distributed in North America by Cohen Media Group.

Cohen Media Group has acquired all rights for distribution in North America of "Io Capitano," the film by Matteo Garrone chosen by Italy for the Academy Award race for Best International Film. Globally distributed by Pathé Films, "Io Capitano" will be screened in cinemas at the beginning of 2024. "Io Capitano" is an Italian-Belgian production by Archimede with Rai Cinema and Tarantula, in association with Pathé, Logical Content Ventures, and distributed in Italy by 01 Distribution.

Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, where it received enthusiastic reviews and a 13-minute ovation, the film won the Silver Lion for Matteo Garrone and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Seydou Sarr. "Io Capitano" received two nominations for Best European Film and Best European Director at the European Film Awards and, after winning the Audience Award for Best European Film at the San Sebastián Festival, it also received the 'Capri Humanitarian Award 2023,' a special prize at the 28th edition of 'Capri, Hollywood - The International Film Festival.' On November 15th, the film was screened at the European Parliament during the event "Europe as Seen by Others," in the presence of director Matteo Garrone, Fofana Amara, and Mamadou Kouassi, the inspirations behind the film's story and screenplay consultants, as well as Paolo Del Brocco, CEO of Rai Cinema.

"Io Capitano" tells the adventurous journey of two young individuals, Seydou and Moussa, who leave Dakar to reach Europe. A contemporary Odyssey through the perils of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya, and the dangers of the sea.

"'Io Capitano' is a significant cinematic success from a master like Matteo Garrone, a film that sheds light on the very real dramas unfolding in today's world," said Robert Aaronson of Cohen Media Group.

Charles S. Cohen, President and CEO of Cohen Media Group, added: "Matteo Garrone's powerful film is a testament to human resilience and the ability of cinema to make individual struggles a concern for all of us."

Marie-Laure Montironi, Executive Vice President of International Sales at Pathé, stated: "Pathé is confident that the film has found the ideal home to become both a success in the United States and a serious contender for the Oscars, and it will go as far as possible considering the fantastic audience response we have observed in the previous weeks. Cohen Media Group is a high-quality distributor of foreign films for North America."

Matteo Garrone is excited to see his film arrive in the United States thanks to Cohen Media Group: "They will give the American audience the opportunity to experience this epic journey on the big screen," said the director.