The Fits has been acquired for U.S. distribution by Oscilloscope Laboratories ahead of its 2016 Sundance Film Festival premiere in the Next session. The film is a winner of 2014/15 Biennale College – Cinema and it world premiered at the 72. Venice International Film Festival. It is directed by Anna Rose Holmer, produced by Lisa Kjerulff, co-written by Holmer, Kjerulff and Saela Davis. It stars Royalty Hightower (Toni), Alexis Neblett (Beezy), Makyla Burnam (Legs), Inayah Rodgers (Karisma), Lauren Gibson (Maia) and Da’Sean Minor (Jermaine).

Here’s the full synopsis:

Toni, a tomboyish boxer, lands a spot on an after-school drill team in the West End community of Cincinnati. She eagerly absorbs routines, masters drills, and even pierces her own ears to fit in. It’s the joy of her first friendships and her discovery of dance. Shortly after Toni joins the team, most of the girls on the team suffer from episodes of fainting, swooning, and shaking in a seemingly uncontrollable catharsis. Nobody can explain the mysterious outbreak. These fits soon transform into a rite of passage as the trauma draws the other girls closer together. Caught between her need for control and her desire for acceptance, Toni must decide how far she will go to embody her new ideals.

The director Anna Rose Holmer commented the news:

We connected strongly with Oscilloscope’s passion and vision for the film and are honored to be working with their dedicated team to bring ‘The Fits’ to audiences.

Oscilloscope’s Dan Berger added:

‘The Fits’ is exactly the type of film that Oscilloscope was created to champion — the masterfully executed result of a purely singular filmmaking vision. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to release it and equally thrilled to see what Anna does next.

Oscilloscope is planning to open the film this summer at the Metrograph theater in New York City.

Screening schedule at Sundance:

FRI 1/22, 6:00 PM
TOWER THEATRE

MON 1/25, 11:45 AM
EGYPTIAN THEATRE

WED 1/27, 9:00 PM
YARROW HOTEL THEATRE

FRI 1/29, 3:30 PM
REDSTONE CINEMA 1

SAT 1/30, 3:00 PM
SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT SCREENING ROOM