UTA Signs Filmmakers Ryan J. Sloan & Ariella Mastroianni As UTA Independent Boards Sales For Their Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Thriller ‘Gazer’

EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed filmmakers Ryan J. Sloan & Ariella Mastroianni for representation in all areas, with UTA Independent Film Group coming aboard to handle domestic sales for Sloan’s feature directorial debut, Gazer, which is set to premiere as part of Directors’ Fortnight and compete for the Camera d’Or at Cannes.

While announcing its selection, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Artist Director Julien Rejl likened Gazer to the paranoia thrillers of New Hollywood’s great masters. Lensed on 16mm, the film was shot on nights and weekends over two years while Sloan worked as an electrician and Mastroianni in programming at Angelika Film Center in New York. Written by Sloan and Mastroianni, it tells the story of Frankie (Mastroianni), a young mother with a rare degenerative brain condition called dyschronometria, who struggles to perceive time. Unable to find steady work and using cassette tapes for guidance, she takes a risky job from a mysterious woman, unaware of the dark consequences that await.

Sloan and Mastroianni self-produced the feature through their company Telstar Films. Memento International is handling foreign rights. Frank PR is on board to manage domestic press, with Premier to manage press on the international front.  

Prior to Gazer, Sloan and Mastroianni collaborated on projects including the short film A Message for James, released in 2019. The pair will continue to be represented by Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz and Matthew Saver.