THE COMING-OF-AGE FEATURE DIRECTED BY THEMBI L. BANKS TO PREMIERE ON JUNE 27

Link to BTS and Episodic Images

 
Los Angeles, CA, June 11, 2024 - Today, BET+ announced the June 27th premiere date for the critically acclaimed feature “YOUNG.WILD.FREE.”

BET+ acquired the 2023 Sundance Film Festival Selection, “YOUNG.WILD.FREE.,” directed by Thembi L. Banks, from Confluential Films, MACRO Studios, and No Label Productions.

The film stars Algee Smith (Euphoria), who plays a hot-tempered high school senior whose claustrophobic life is suddenly thrust into an enticing, dangerous direction after he’s robbed at gunpoint by the girl of his dreams, played by Sierra Capri (On My Block).  

Being a teenager is rough and Brandon, played by Algee Smith, is no different. Between struggling in school, caring for his two younger siblings, and having just been let go from his job, Brandon often uses his art as an escape from the confines of his subdued day-to-day life. Enter Cassidy, a bedazzled bad girl dripping in confidence, freedom, and danger. Lured in by her whimsies, Brandon teams up with Cassidy, seamlessly slipping into the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they make their way down an increasingly perilous path.

Janice Huffman, played by Lathan, is Brandon’s mother who is trying to balance her mental health struggles and being a mother of three. Lamont, played by Epps, is the father of Janice’s youngest two children and has a strained relationship with Brandon. 

Written by Juel Taylor (Creed II) and co-writer Tony Rettenmaier, “YOUNG.WILD.FREE.” is produced by Confluential Films’ Tommy Oliver, MACRO Studios’ Charles D. King, James Lopez, Poppy Hanks, No Label Productions’ Baron Davis, and Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd. Byrd also cast the film. Codie Elaine Oliver, Charlotte Koh, Prince Baggett, Jo Henriquez, Mark R. Wright, Jenna Cavelle, Tony Rettenmeier, Juel Taylor, Thembi L. Banks, and Sanaa Lathan executive produce the film.

We knew immediately after screening “YOUNG.WILD.FREE.” that our audience would gravitate toward the film. The story is compelling and the cast delivers relatable performances that give a unique perspective and voice to its characters - unlike anything we currently have on the platform. We are excited to partner with Confluential Films while also expanding our relationship with MACRO Film Studios,” said Marvin Neil, VP of Content Programming and Strategy for BET+. 

“I am overjoyed we will finally get to share this labor of love with audiences across the country and beyond. The beautiful work displayed by this cast and crew is nothing short of inspiring and I am proud to be on this journey in partnership with MACRO, Confluential, and now BET+,” said director, Thembi L. Banks. 

As part of this year’s BET Experience, the film will screen as part of the BET+ Screening Room, featuring exclusive BET+ shows and films, on Saturday, June 29th. Register for free at https://www.BETExperience.com

BET+ is the exclusive streaming home of the film.

About Confluential Films:

Founded by multi-hyphenate filmmaker Tommy Oliver, Confluential Films develops, produces, and finances across film, TV (scripted and unscripted), audio, and documentaries. Past projects include 2023 Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize Winner “Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” from HBO; “Fancy Dance,” starring Lily Gladstone; “The Perfect Find,” starring Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, and Gina Torres, for Netflix; “Young. Wild. Free,” starring Algee Smith and Sanaa Lathan; AFI Audience Award-winner “Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss”; the critically acclaimed HBO Documentary “40 Years A Prisoner”; as well as the ground-breaking docuseries “Black Love”; Sony thriller “The Perfect Guy, which opened No. 1 at the U.S. box office; and award-winning indie films “1982” (TIFF), “Jinn” (SXSW), and “Kinyarwanda” (Sundance). (www.confluentialfilms.com) 

About MACRO Film Studios:

MACRO Film Studios is a division of MACRO, a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of Black people, indigenous people and people of color launched in 2015 by Founder & CEO Charles D. King.  The company has a multi-year first look deal with Amazon Studios.  MACRO Film Studios has fifteen Oscar nominations and three wins, and co-financed the critically acclaimed Judas And The Black Messiah, Mudbound, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Just Mercy, Sorry To Bother You, Nine Days, Farewell Amor, Blast Beat, The Land and Blue Bayou.  Its most recent film is Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone.  James F. Lopez is President of MACRO Film Studios.  MACRO’s other business verticals include MACRO Television Studios, that finances, develops and produces premium television and holds nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Children’s and Family Emmy Awards and one Peabody Award with one Primetime Emmy Award win; and an in-house branding and creative agency, Brand MACRO.  In addition, MACRO has a majority interest in the company’s joint venture—M88, a full-service talent management firm and an affiliated venture capital firm, MaCVenture Capital.  Go to www.staymacro.com for more information on the company.

About BET+:

BET+ is the premium streaming service for the Black community offering thousands of hours of hit movies, TV shows, stage plays and more. With new, exclusive originals premiering each month, BET+, a joint venture between BET Networks and Tyler Perry Studios, offers the best of Black culture with titles like First Wives Club, The Ms. Pat Show, Ruthless, Sacrifice, The Family Business and American Gangster: Trap Queens from revered creators like Tracy Oliver, Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels and Carl Weber, to name a few. BET+ members can watch as much as they want anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen and always commercial-free. Visit BET.Plus to learn more and follow @BETPlus for the latest news and updates.  

Contacts:

Aaron Bastian, BET+

aaron.bastian@bet.net

Autumn Griffin, BET+

autumn.griffin@bet.net