Cinephobia Releasing is proud to announce the US release of writer-director Michael Pierro’s debut thriller feature SELF DRIVER. Cinephobia Releasing acquired rights to the film in a deal negotiated between Cinephobia President Raymond Murray, and Justyna Koronkiewicz, Owner of Media Move. Self Driver will arrive on VOD, digital on May 8.
“Michael Pierro’s boldly creative thriller captivated me like few films do”, said Murray. “Cinephobia Releasing is very excited to bring this daring film to American audiences this year.”
Self Driver follows a down-on-his-luck cab driver, who, facing mounting expenses and the unrelenting pressure of modern living, is lured on to a mysterious new app that promises fast, easy money. As his first night on the job unfolds, he is pulled ever deeper into the dark underbelly of society, embarking on a journey that will test his moral code and shake his understanding of what it means to have freewill. The question becomes not how much money he can make, but what he’ll be compelled to do to make it. If you’ve got nothing to lose, how far would you go?
“Films like “Self Driver” are my favorite kind of films, it is powerful while being modest, which is a testament to Director Michael Pierro’s boldness and talent as a filmmaker”, said Koronkiewicz. “I’m thrilled to help get this film the wide audience it deserves – something I already know Cinephobia can do well.”
Self Driver stars Nathanael Chadwick (The Last Porno Show), Reece Presley (In a Violent Nature), and Lauren Welchner (Faulein Cherie). The film is produced by Kire Paputts and Michael Pierro.
“I’m beyond excited to be working with Cinephobia Releasing to bring Self Driver to American audiences, said Pierro. “The film was a passion project, built with a guerilla spirit from the ground up. It’s a true joy to be working with a bunch of people who share the same love for independent cinema that brought the team behind Self Driver together in the first place. This film would not exist without people like that and I can’t wait to see where they take it!”
The film world premiered at the Fantaspoa – International Fantastic Film Festival, winning Best Film in the Low Budget, Great Films section and went on to play Fantasia Festival where it won the New Flesh Award for Best First Feature, Grimmfest, taking home the award for Best Actor and receiving a Special Mention of the Jury for Best Director, Macabro Festival Internacional de Cine de Horror, MidWest WeirdFest, and Panic Fest.
