Angel Studios Inks 10-Year Film Deal with SOUND OF FREEDOM Director

Published: June 6, 2024

Angel Studios Inks 10-Year Film Deal with SOUND OF FREEDOM Director

By Movieguide® Contributor

SOUND OF FREEDOM and CABRINI director Alejandro Monteverde just signed a 10-year, five-film deal with Angel Studios.

“When I first met Alejandro and experienced his passion for filmmaking, I felt like we had just encountered the next Frank Capra. His approach to sharing stories is always unique, accessible, and powerful,” said Jordan Harmon, President of Angel Studios. “We couldn’t be more excited to help bring his unique storytelling and stunning vision for filmmaking to the world.”

“I am looking forward to collaborating with Angel and the Harmon brothers to make powerful films,” Monteverde added in a press release.

The new deal requires at least five films from Monteverde and allows for up to 10. The director’s first collaboration with Angel Studios started with the blockbuster hit and Teddy Bear Award® winner SOUND OF FREEDOM, followed by CABRINI.

A snippet of Movieguide®’s SOUND OF FREEDOM review reads:

SOUND OF FREEDOM is gripping and heartbreaking, but hope-giving. The movie sheds light on the need for strong people to stand up for God’s children around the world who are caught in the vicious, abusive system of sex trafficking. SOUND OF FREEDOM has a strong Christian, moral worldview that promotes sacrifice and the message that “God’s children are not for sale.” MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong and extreme caution for the movie’s mature subject matter, implied and depicted violence, and abuse of children.

Monteverde’s new Angel deal comes with some stipulations.

“The potential films from Monterverde will have to be deemed ‘theatrical worthy’ in a rating system from the Angel Guild, the studio’s paid membership service that gives members (now numbering more than 300,000, per the company’s website) the ability to vote on future projects. The members are the studio’s greenlight authority, deciding on whether projects ‘amplify light,’” the Hollywood Reporter said. “In addition to directing his own features, the Mexico native will consult on other Angel Studios projects, offer notes during scripting and postproduction, and mentor other filmmakers working for the studio.”

The deal also comes with a huge bonus: Angel will buy him a house valued between $4 and $5 million at his preferred location. Each year, he will earn 10% of the home’s value. Ownership is to be transferred annually upon the continuation of the deal. His annual salary will be adjusted based on the purchase price of the house.

The IndieWire adds that Monteverde will receive $950,000 up front with a $50,000 salary. The next two years, his salary will be $600,000.

“According to the filings, the total salaried compensation paid to Monteverde over the course of the pact is equivalent on a net present value basis to $12 million, though the agreement also includes stock options that could prove to be valuable, depending on company performance,” the Hollywood Reporter said.

“To launch the partnership, casting is nearing completion for a yet untitled project, set to begin principal photography this Summer on the Island of Malta,” Angel’s press release said. “The film will be produced by Leo Severino and will again pair Monteverde with Screenwriter Rod Barr, Cinematographer Gorka Gomez Andreu and Production Designer Carlos Lagunas.”