Gravitas Ventures Picks Up LGBTQ+ Drama ‘Layla’ for U.S. and Canadian Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Matt Minton mminton@variety.com Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to “Layla,” which had its premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

The LGBTQ+ drama follows Layla (Bilal Hasna), a struggling Arab drag queen with a deep desire for true love. After unexpectedly catching the eye of a marketing executive (Louis Greatorex) at a corporate Pride event, the two fall in love but must eventually confront harsh truths about their relationship.

The film also played at the BFI London Film Festival and NewFest. “We are very grateful to be working with Gravitas as they bring ‘Layla’ to North American audiences,” director and writer Amrou Al-Kadhi said in a statement. “We hope that our uplifting and colourful fairytale about freedom, self-expression, and the messiness of identity can help audiences think, feel and smile at a time when coming together has never been more important.

We especially hope that the trans community in America can see this film and know that people all over the world are standing with them right now. ‘Layla’ is a protest that no one can ever rob the promise of our joy.” In addition to leads Hasna and Greatorex, the film features Safiyya Ingar, Darkwah, Terique Jarrett and Rebecca Lucy Taylor.