Screengrab from “Beasts of No Nation” trailer.
Maane Khatchatourian, VARIETY
(Variety.com) — Netflix has set a theatrical release date for its first original film. Cary Fukunaga’s “Beasts of No Nation” will hit screens in select U.S. markets on October 16, the same day that it debuts worldwide on Netflix.
Netflix is partnering with Bleecker Street, the distribution company founded by Andrew Karpen last year, and Landmark to open the film in 19 markets served by Landmark Theatres.
“Beasts” will hit theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego.
This allows the Africa-set drama, starring Idris Elba, to be eligible for Oscar consideration. Its awards season chances were improved earlier this week when the pic was selected to screen at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.
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