Sundance Sales Begin with Major deal for CODA

CODA, a film by Siân Heder, is an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL, Utah — Siân Heder, writer and director of CODA, landed the festival’s first big deal, selling the rights to her film to highest bidder Apple Studios for a record-shattering $25 million.

“In the first big deal of the 2021 virtual Sundance Film Festival, Apple has landed worldwide rights to CODA, for a number just north of $25 million. That sets a new Sundance acquisitions record — above the $22.5 million that Palm Springs received last year from Hulu/Neon. But this time, all the premiere watching and all night auctioning was done far from the slopes of Park City. It came down to a pitched battle between Apple and Amazon.” – Deadline

CODA is an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults. The movie is an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition and tells the story of a 17-year old, Ruby, who is the only hearing member of her deaf family. COSA is set in the fishing town of Gloucester, Mass. Ruby works mornings on her family’s fishing boat to help maintain the family business. She finds her passion in her high school’s choir, and ultimately she becomes torn between an obligation to her family and pursuit of her dreams.