An independent film premiering this week at the Sundance Film Festival has been pulled from the lineup by its financier, Variety learned exclusively. The backer claims the film’s director made a secret new cut of the film, one used at global film festivals and courted by critics without its owner’s knowledge.
“Blknws: Terms & Conditions,” an official selection in Sundance’s Next section, is directed by Kahlil Joseph (a contributor to Beyoncé’s visual album “Lemonade”). Participant, the now-defunct social impact studio, claims to have invested years and millions into the multimedia project only to be sidelined by a new version of the feature.
In a legal communication from a lawyer, obtained and verified by VarietyParticipant said he was “shocked” to have learned last Friday that Joseph was screening a new cut of the film to critics at talent agency CAA. One of them was carried out, according to the legal email, “in secret”. The letter further accused Joseph of using this new edit to gain access to the Berlin Film Festival.
“Given that Mr. Joseph delivered the film to Participant in November 2024, and Participant submitted this version to Sundance on the basis that it was the final cut of the film, it is completely unacceptable that Mr. Joseph continues to claim to make changes to the film. film,” the letter continues. As lead producer, Participant owns the copyright to the film. Three years ago, independent powerhouse A24 entered the scene as co-financier and distributor. They dropped out last August when Kahlil had still not delivered his latest film, the legal letter states.
In a statement to VarietyA Sundance spokesperson said the festival was “deeply disappointed to have been informed this evening by an attendee that it was withdrawing ‘BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions,'” adding that the film is “a radiant, immersive cinematic experience which we were impatiently waiting for. premiere for our audience this Friday.
The participant had no immediate comment on the matter, aside from the letter issued by the attorney. Representatives for Joseph — who has also directed short films and music videos for artists including Kendrick Lamar and FKA Twigs — did not immediately return comments. Variety» requests for feedback.
Joseph’s film is billed as an ambitious emotional and visual effort, described as “an ongoing artistic project that blurs the lines between art, journalism, entrepreneurship and cultural criticism, appropriating the news format as an opportunity to reimagine the contemporary cinematic experience.” The film is directed by Shaunette Renée Wilson (“Billions,” “Black Panther”).
Another person familiar with the events leading to the legal letter said two leaders of the participants were present during the disputed CAA selection on January 17. The differences between the new reductions and the approved reductions last about a minute, they added. Two sources confirmed that the participants’ issue comes down to legal clearances, a standard procedure in film distribution that is usually aided by viewing the film in question. Many titles previewed at film festivals, many insiders close to this situation have pointed out, are rarely finished works.
It may seem confusing to hear Participant at the center of a current feud over the release of a film. The do-gooder studio launched by billionaire Jeff Skoll ceased formal operations last April, Variety reported exclusively. It now exists as a holding company for participating library assets, which includes “Blknws: Terms and Conditions”.
The participant concluded that this was “particularly infuriating…because the participant has been nothing but patient and supportive with Mr. Joseph…asked Mr. Joseph to deliver a final cut of the film in June 2022, there is more two and a half years. The participant nevertheless invested millions of dollars to support Mr. Joseph and his vision for the film.
The memo is particularly revealing of the laborious process of launching a film that has been, in all honesty, hampered by COVID-19 and the Hollywood labor strikes of 2023.
Read the participants’ full letter below.
