Supergravity has acquired rights to award-winning Australian docu, Gayby Baby, about children of gay parents, which will have a limited one-month run in theaters around the world before launching on digital.
The start-up studio, established in 2014, plans screenings of “Gayby Baby” in more than 50 cities in the U.S. starting April 1.
The film will be released on digital video services on May 1, International Family Equality Day
Directed by Maya Newell, Gayby Baby tells the stories of four Australian kids — Gus, Ebony, Matt and Graham — each of whose parents is gay, exploring their perspective in a society that has struggled to achieve marriage equality.
The film was banned from screenings in schools in New South Wales, Australia, after a campaign by right-wing conservatives, which heightened its popularity.
Supergravity will use social media to market the film, banking on the broad fanbase of Connor Franta, who has 4 million Twitter followers and 5.2 million YouTube subscribers.
The studio is partnering with LGBT and family equality organizations worldwide, including the Family Equality Council and COLAGE, to host theatrical screenings and organize digital-viewing parties.
“This film is so powerful. It sheds a new light on same-sex parenting through a unique perspective and unlikely voice, children,” said Connor Franta. “I am honored to be a part of this movement via ‘Gayby Baby’ and help bring this important message to the masses through thoughtful soundtrack curation and marketing.”
Supporters of “Gayby Baby” include Victoria’s Secret model Josephine Skriver and LGBT rights activist Zach Wahls.
“Supergravity is honored to bring this groundbreaking documentary to audiences across the globe and help amplify the conversation around family equality,” said Supergravity Pictures founder Marc Hustvedt. “We are taking a very hands-on approach in building a groundswell of support around the film’s release in theaters and on screens of all sizes.”
Director Maya Newell is herself the daughter of two lesbian mothers. “We made ‘Gayby Baby’ because even though families like mine are not featured on billboards, gayby children have existed for generations and have a unique perspective on the world,” she said in a statement.
“Gayby Baby” won best documentary at the 2016 Australian Film Critics Association Awards, scored first runner-up for best docu at the 2015 Sydney Film Festival and was nominated for a 2016 AACTA Award for best feature-length documentary by the Australian Film Institute.
