SANTA MONICA, Calif.,
Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Codeblack Films, a Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) company, has
selected Effie Brown to produce the
feature film adaptation of the acclaimed Flyy Girl book
trilogy written by New York Times
bestselling author Omar Tyree. Brown
and her company Duly Noted Inc. will oversee development and the
recruitment of the creative team on the project alongside Codeblack
Films' Jeff Clanagan and
Quincy Newell.
Brown is known for 2002's "Real Women Have Curves", 2007's
"Rocket Science", and 2014's Sundance Film festival darling, "Dear
White People." Brown also recently joined the cast of HBO's
"Project Greenlight" reboot assuming the role of producer and
mentor to the winner of the filmmaking competition. Industry
veteran Christina Sibul is also part
of the development team.
"I'm so excited to be working with Codeblack Films and Lionsgate
on releasing the film adaptation of Omar
Tyree's culturally iconic Flyy Girl trilogy," said
Brown. "These books were a rite of passage for readers worldwide
and will prove to be the foundation for an exciting cinematic
release."
With Nicole Jefferson-Asher on
board to write the script, the story explores the journey of
Tracey Ellison, a successful
businesswoman and workaholic who believes that money is always the
key to happiness. In the midst of her life journey, Ellison is
forced to reinvent herself and rethink her relationships, her
career and her definition of success. The second book in the
series, "For the Love of Money," won an NAACP Image Award (2001,
Outstanding Book, Fiction).
Tyree's books have been read by over 8 million people worldwide
and have grossed more than $30
million for publishing giant Simon & Schuster. His brand
is one of the most talked about in the urban community, and his
products can be found in 12 countries.
"Effie Brown comes to us with a
wealth of experience, and we are elated to have her on our team to
produce this much anticipated film," said Codeblack Films President
Jeff Clanagan. "She has a track
record of excellence, and we're confident that she will bring her
magic touch to this project as well."
Codeblack Films' EVP & General Manager Quincy Newell and Robert
Melnik, Lionsgate's EVP Business & Legal Affairs,
handled the deals. Attorney Vince L.
Ravine handled legal duties for Brown. Gersh's Frank Wuliger represents Jefferson-Asher.
About Codeblack Films
Codeblack Films, a division of
premier next generation global content leader
LIONSGATE®, is a vertically integrated film production
and distribution company focused on providing independent studios,
filmmakers, globally-recognized celebrities, intellectual property
rights holders and brands cross platform monetization solutions.
Entertainment industry veteran Jeff
Clanagan founded Codeblack Films in 2012. Codeblack
Films' core objective is to super serve the global Black community
with quality programming and help its content and brand partners
access the enormous spending power of the rapidly growing
African-American consumer market. Codeblack Films' understanding of
the social context of this fast evolving market -- values,
attitudes, behavior and current and emerging trends -- provides the
Company with a unique ability to position its content and brand
partners in the center of influence.
In July 2013, Codeblack Films
released the sleeper hit KEVIN HART:
LET ME EXPLAIN from superstar comedian and actor Kevin Hart,
which generated over $32 million at
the domestic box-office. Codeblack has also released Shola Lynch's
2013 NAACP Image Award winner FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL
PRISONERS, George Tillman Jr. and
Alicia Keyes' critically acclaimed
and NAACP Image Award nominated THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER
& PETE starring Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, the
independent thriller REPENTANCE, starring Academy Award winner
Forest Whitaker, Anthony Mackie and Sanaa Lathan and
the Golden Globe nominated FRANKIE & ALICE, starring
Academy Award winner Halle Berry. In
October 2014 Codeblack released
ADDICTED the sexy and provocative thriller based on the
New York Times best selling book by
Zane.
Through parent company Lionsgate, Codeblack Films' operational
capabilities include motion picture production and distribution,
strategic acquisitions, television programming and syndication,
home entertainment distribution, digital distribution, new channel
platform monetization and international distribution and sales.
For More Information & Contact:
Codeblack
Films/LionsgateLiz Berger/
Lionsgate Publicity - LA/ lberger@lionsgate.com
Allied Integrated Marketing
Ginger Chan/ Vice President, National
Publicity/ gchan@alliedim.com
Yasmine Parrish/ Publicist –
LA/ YParrish@alliedim.com
Nyrie McKenzie/ Publicist –
NY/ NMckenzie@alliedim.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/effie-brown-to-produce-codeblack-films-adaptation-of-omar-tyrees-flyy-girl-300040627.html
SOURCE Codeblack Films