Netflix Secures Documentary ‘Ibelin’ from Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing, and Netflix wasted no time securing its first major acquisition from the renowned snow-filled event – the Norwegian documentary, “Ibelin.”
Having just premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary competes in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. It delves into the life and legacy of Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer who tragically succumbed to a degenerative muscular disease at the tender age of 25. Initially, Mats’ parents believed his life was marked by loneliness and isolation, but a flood of messages from his global online community revealed a rich life of friendship and connection in the digital realm.
The BBC extensively covered this story in 2019 through journalist Vicky Schaubert’s article titled “My disabled son’s amazing gaming life in the World of Warcraft.”
The documentary is directed by Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree, known for his previous works like “Magnus” (2016) and more recently, “The Painter and the Thief” (2020).
Expressing excitement and honor, Ree stated, “Many of my favorite documentary films and series have been distributed by Netflix. It’s a huge honor that ‘Ibelin’ will now be on Netflix, sharing Mats Steen’s story with millions worldwide. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Producing the title is Ingvil Giske for Medieoperatørene in co-production with Norway’s VGTV.
Netflix hasn’t provided a release date, but based on past acquisitions, it’s likely to debut in 2024.
Notably, the Sundance Film Festival features 82 feature-length films from 24 countries and 53 short films this year. In 2023, Netflix acquired “The Deepest Breath” and “Fair Play,” both premiering at Sundance. This year, they presented “The Greatest Night In Pop,” a music documentary by director Bao Nguyen.
Stay tuned for more coverage on Netflix’s acquisitions from the Sundance Film Festival.