ATO Pictures Grabs ‘Last Call at the Oasis’

The project, directed by Jessica Yu, was developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media. September 21 10:30 AM PDT 9/21/2011 by Jay A. Fernandez, Hollywood Reporter ATO Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to Last Call at the Oasis, which had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last week. The project, directed by Jessica Yu, was developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media. “We could not be more proud to be working with Participant on this riveting, enthralling doc which we know will open people’s eyes to the severe calamity at hand,” said ATO co-founders Johnathan Dorfman and Temple Fennell. “Audiences are in for an eye opening experience and Jessica has done a brilliant job illuminating this vital issue.” Oasis explores the global water crisis and how it will affect communities around the world. Elise Pearlstein produced the film, which features Erin Brockovich, Peter Gleick, Alex Prud’homme, Jay Famiglietti and Robert Glennon. “We’re very excited to be teaming up with ATO Pictures to bring Jessica’s bracing and beautifully-made wake-up call about the urgency of the water crisis to U.S. movie audiences along with the kind of robust social action and advocacy campaign for which Participant is known,” said Participant president Ricky Strauss. ATO head of acquisitions Sarah Lash negotiated the deal with Submarine’s Josh Braun and Participant COO Jeff Ivers. ATO Pictures has recently released Terri, Casino Jack and Mao’s Last Dancer. Forthcoming titles include The Woman in the Fifth, Thin Ice and The Oranges. Participant Media is behind such films as An Inconvenient Truth, Food, Inc. and Waiting for “Superman.” http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/risky-business/toronto-2011-ato-pictures-grabs-238605