EXCLUSIVE: Toronto-based boutique distributor Sport Idea Movies has acquired Canadian rights to Captain Newfoundland, a characteristic documentary exploring the legacy of late idiosyncratic media mogul and mystic Geoff Stirling.
The characteristic, which has lately begun manufacturing, is directed by Jamie Miller and Mike Feehan and co-produced by St. John’s-based Seachange Movies and Toronto-based 86 Media Home.
Stirling was born within the Newfoundland and Labrador capital of St John’s in 2021 when it was nonetheless an unbiased province. He died in 2013.
After research on the College of Tampa, he freelanced for Time and The Chicago Tribune, earlier than returning dwelling to arrange the province’s first newspaper, The Newfoundland Herald, in 1946.
He went on to arrange the unbiased TV station NTV (Newfoundland Tv) in 1955, which punched above its weight as a broadcasting pioneer when it comes to its sources, changing into the primary Canadian station in 1972 to broadcast across the clock.
Alongside his company broadcasting achievements, Stirling additionally spearheaded the creation of unique in-house content material, topped by cult present Captain Newfoundland.
Revolving round a cosmic, interdimensional determine, the present was broadcast on late-night TV and merged sci-fi, spirituality, and counterculture in a manner that formed generations of Newfoundlanders. The movie will discover how Stirling’s mythology prolonged past tv, influencing a motion of creativity and revolt in Newfoundland and past.
“This movie has been formed by a real spirit of collaboration. It’s been a collective effort from the beginning, with an unbelievable workforce together with Sam Sutherland, Jono Hunter and Justin Taylor bringing their ardour and creativity to each stage of the method,” mentioned co-directors Miller and Feehan.
“Geoff Stirling’s imaginative and prescient was about embracing daring concepts, and it’s that very same sense of curiosity and creativeness that has guided us in telling this story.”
Different upcoming Sport Idea releases embody Naomi Jaye’s Darkest Miriam, starring Severance breakout Britt Decrease, SXSW hit Boxcutter and Sacramento, starring Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart.
“Geoff Stirling was a real unique, and the creation of Captain Newfoundland is without doubt one of the most fascinating, genre-blurring chapters in Canadian popular culture,” mentioned Hilary Hart, Co-President of Sport Idea Movies.
“This documentary faucets into the parable, thriller, and sheer creativity of Stirling’s imaginative and prescient, and we’re thrilled to assist deliver this story to audiences who might have by no means encountered it earlier than.”
Captain newfoundland is supported by Telefilm Canada, PictureNL, and Rogers. The movie is slated for a 2026 theatrical launch.
