Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired North American VOD rights to the Animated Coming-of-Age LGBTQ+-themed fantasy feature UNICORN BOY. Starting on October 11, 2024, it will be available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms and on DVD.
A one-night theatrical screening in Los Angeles featuring a cast & crew Q&A session is scheduled at the Laemmle NoHo 7 movie theater in North Hollywood on October 2, 2024. UNICORN BOY premiered at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival.
UNICORN BOY is a coming-of-age animated feature geared to young adults which explores the complexity of first heartbreak and gender identity, created and animated entirely by the imaginative Matty Kiel. The story follows Matty, a down-on-their-luck artist, distraught by a recent breakup, who is magically sucked into a unicorn-run alternate dimension. Now, Matty must work with a new unicorn friend to conquer a dark force, bringing peace to their kingdom and emotional stability to their bleak Silver Lake life. This auteur-driven portrait of one’s former self is a beautiful reflection of the challenges that come along with growth and self-discovery.
The cast features Kiel (‘Matty’), Patton Oswalt (‘King Uniturius’), Maria Bamford (‘Queen Junipero’), Sethward (‘Sethward’), Cindy Paola (‘Peanut Butter Sparkle’), Harold Perrineau (‘Guard Pantius’), Michelle Trachtenberg (‘Violet’), Parvesh Cheena (‘Tarliul’/’Sunriel’/’Parsadio’), Sarah Natochenny (‘Prince Purpleton’), Katie Leclerc (‘Hope’), Brett Davern (‘Shine’), Beau Mirchoff (‘Oak’), Neil Garguilo (‘General Aldebaran’/’Neighbor’/’Bugs’), Nancy Hale (‘Nancy’), Mark Sipka (‘Mark’), Kristin Sanchez (‘Deer’/’Bunny’/’Star’/’Tattoo Woman’), Sean Cowhig (‘Fish Bug’), Alyssa Sabo (‘Butterflies’ / ‘Alyssa’), Marshall Givens (‘Llama’/’Gauge Nose Guy’) Chris Alvarado (‘Juice’/’Coffee Cashier’), and Sinead De Vries (‘Popcorn Eater’).
Written and directed by Matty Kiel, UNICORN BOY was produced by Kiel and Neil Garguilo. Michael Hughes, Brian Mandle, Donovan Mannato, and Andrew McElroy served as Executive Producers, Kristin Sanchez as Co-Producer and Dimitri Smith scored the film, which was made under the Kiel Garguilo production banner.