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Emerging indie distributor New Mountain Films is building out its North American slate with two new acquisitions.
The Toronto-based outfit has nabbed rights to “Freedom Way,” a Nigerian drama directed by Afolabi Olalekan, and “My Brother Ali,” a documentary from filmmaker Paula Palacios that chronicles a Somali refugee’s immigration journey.
“Freedom Way” weaves together multiple storylines, following startup founders facing police harassment alongside a motorcycle taxi driver, a conflicted doctor, and two police officers navigating moral dilemmas.
In “My Brother Ali,” Palacios documents a decade-long odyssey that began when she met the titular Somali refugee in a Ukrainian detention center in 2012. The personal documentary spans multiple countries and examines themes of resilience and displacement against the backdrop of the global refugee crisis.
The pickups continue the momentum for New Mountain, which was founded last year by industry veteran Khaled Sabbour.
“These films reflect the kind of storytelling New Mountain is passionate about – authentic, globally resonant, and often overlooked by mainstream distributors,” Sabbour said. “We’re proud to bring these voices to audiences across North America.”
Sabbour negotiated both deals for New Mountain, with Bluhouse Studios representing “Freedom Way” and Morada Films handling “My Brother Ali.”
The distributor, which positions itself as a champion for “bold, socially resonant stories,” has been actively building relationships with filmmakers while focusing on underrepresented voices since launching in 2024.
The company’s first acquisition was Jasmin Gordon’s 2024 Toronto selection “The Courageous,” which also won two awards at Zurich. The Switzerland-set film where a single mother battles for a stable existence for her three children, releases April 18.
