Miramax Acquires Film Rights to I WON'T BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Miramax announced today that they have acquired film rights to Lauren Iungerich's screenplay I WON'T BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.Iungerich is set to direct, as well as produce, alongside Eli Roth and Roger Birnbaum, under their newly-formed Arts District Entertainment, Jamie Dooner, and Miramax's Bill Block. Jennie Frisbie, Michael Besman and Miramax's Michael Lachance will Executive Produce. Production is slated for June and will be supervised by Lachance. The film marks Iungerich's feature film directorial debut.

Sixteen-year-old Grace is given the golden ticket to forgo having to spend the holidays with her crazy family and instead go skiing with her new boyfriend Tad. When Tad unceremoniously breaks up with her before the trip, Grace must return home humiliated with a broken heart to endure her embarrassing family and their ludicrous holiday traditions.

"I'm BEYOND excited to be working alongside my friend and visionary Eli Roth and the prolific Roger Birnbaum," said Lauren Iungerich. "Roger has incredible ability to take a romantic comedy from script to the big screen and make it a hit, so I couldn't be more honored and grateful for this opportunity to make my first feature with this dream team."

"I know we might seem at first glance like an unlikely pair, but we have been friends for over 20 years and have deeply admired each other's careers," said Producer Eli Roth. "Lauren has a singular voice that resonates with teens worldwide, and we are so excited to help bring her vision to the big screen for a global theatrical teen event."

"One of the guiding principles of Art District Entertainment, the new company just started by Eli and I, is to assist young filmmakers in navigating the choppy waters that lie between the "Show" and the "Business" of Hollywood," said Producer Roger Birnbaum." "To launch our new banner with this gem by Lauren seems a perfect fit."

"We are thrilled to be working with Lauren on her first feature film," said Michael Lachance, Executive Vice President of THE FAMILY & Animation division. "She has won over a generation of teenage fans through her TV and streaming series, and we are excited to bring her immense talent and unique voice to the big screen."

Iungerich is an award-winning writer, producer, director and showrunner. She created and executive produced AWKWARD (MTV), one of the most popular teen comedies in recent history. She currently runs her latest series, ON MY BLOCK, which she co-created for Netflix and which was the platform's most binge-watched show in 2018. The 2nd season of the critically acclaimed show is set to stream on March 29.

Iungerich is represented by ICM Partners and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.

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