Indie film distributor Roadside Attractions announced on Monday that it is getting into business with former NFL quarterback an current New York Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow, acquiring U.S. rights to release his film “Run The Race.”
Tebow and brother Robby Tebow served as executive producers on the faith-based drama starring Tanner Stine (“Here and Now”), Evan Hoffer, Mykelti Williamson (“Fences”) and Frances Fisher (“Titanic”).
Roadside Attractions, partly owned by Lionsgate, plans to release the film in theaters on Feb. 22, 2019.
“Run The Race” follows two young brothers with an unbreakable bond facing unbelievable odds. Reeling from his mother’s death and his father’s abandonment, Zach (Stine), an All-State athlete, finds glory on the football field, working to earn a college scholarship in the hopes of earning he and his brother, David (Hofer), a ticket out of town. But when a devastating injury sidelines Zach, David laces up his track cleats to salvage their future.
“I wanted to be part of something that’s encouraging and inspirational to the viewer. I believe ‘Run The Race’ accomplishes this by showing two brothers struggling with real life, but them getting through it by supporting each other and their faith,” Tim Tebow said in a statement. “I hope those who see it can walk away with more faith, hope, and love.”
Earlier this year Roadside Attractions released the faith-based “I Can Only Imagine,” the highest grossing independent film of 2018, which grossed $83.5 million and with a budget of just $7 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
“‘I Can Only Imagine,’ Roadside’s highest grossing film, affirmed that inspirational, quality faith-based stories can reach a huge, highly-valued audience,” said Roadside Attractions co-founders Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff in a statement. “Tim and Robby Tebow are fantastic partners, and we believe their ‘Run The Race’ will be embraced as enthusiastically by audiences nationwide.”
Principal filming on “Run The Race” was in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to Robby and Tim Tebow, Bill Reeves of faith-based film marketing company WTA Group serves as an executive producer, along with Erik Weir, Trey Brunson, Joe Kosakowski and Erik Dellenback.
“Roadside Attractions’ experience with finding the right audiences for independent films makes them the perfect distribution partner for ‘Run The Race,’” Reeves said in a statement.
Note: A previous version of this report listed Amblin Group among Roadside Attractions’ investors.