Game Theory Films has acquired the Canadian distribution rights to Bosnian-Canadian director Igor Drljača’s The White Fortress (Tabija).

The Canada/Bosnia copro feature, which is written and directed by Drljača, had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival as part of its Generation 14plus section. Game Theory, a Toronto-based boutique distribution, will release the film in Canada in late 2021.

The White Fortress (Tabija) is produced by Toronto prodco Timelapse Pictures – co-founded by Drljača and Albert Shin – and Bosnia’s SCCA/pro.ba production in association with Toronto’s Gearshift Films. Rome sales agent TVCO holds worldwide sales rights, excluding Canada and Bosnia.

The film stars Pavle Čemerkić as an orphan who meets a timid teen girl, played by Sumeja Dardagan, from an affluent family; the two form a relationship as she explores his life of foraging and petty crime as a means of escaping her toxic home life. The cast also includes Jasmin Geljo, Kerim Čutuna, Alban Ukaj and Irena Mulamuhić.

Producers on the film are Drljača, Shin, Gearshift’s Borga Dorter and Jordan Barker, and SCCA/pro.ba production’s Amra Bakšić Čamo and Adis Đapo.

Financing for The White Fortress (Tabija) was provided by Telefilm, Eurimages, Ontario Creates, Kanton Sarajevo, Creative Europe and Fondacija za Kinematografiju Sarajevo.