Prophetic Comedy about living under quarantine launches as Crackle Exclusive on May 7th

Crackle Plus, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company and one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced the upcoming launch of the Australian romantic comedy Cooped Up.  Starring Charles Cottier (“Home and Away”) as a bitter semi-professional wrestler who must live in quarantine after coming into contact with a potentially fatal coronavirus, the film is directed and produced by Kane Guglielmi. It also stars Kathryn Beck (“Neighbours”), Adam Demos (“unREAL”) and Stephen Peacocke (“Home and Away”). Cooped Up launches exclusively on Crackle on May 7th.

After coming into contact with a potentially fatal coronavirus, Jake (played by Cottier) is forced to isolate himself in his childhood home for 21 days, with his only connection to the outside world being the female medic who checks on his symptoms daily.  

Cooped Up was produced in Australia in 2016, well before the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The idea for the quirky comedy was born out of the budgetary constraints of the filmmaker and producer, Kane Guglielmi, who turned a challenge into an opportunity to produce an original, yet affordably contained, feature film. After hearing about rare situations where viruses have forced people into home quarantines, he, and writer John Ratchford, decided to use the seemingly far-fetched premise as the basis for their film. Guglielmi now lives in Italy and is currently under quarantine himself.

"When I made Cooped Up, I never dreamt its concept would become a reality for millions worldwide. During this time, my hope is that it becomes a feel-good distraction for everyone in need of a little light-heartedness. I'm grateful to Crackle for partnering with me to premiere this personal film to their U.S. audience,” said Guglielmi.

President of Crackle Plus, Philippe Guelton said, “In a time when so many are in lockdown as a result of the global pandemic, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and the Crackle team keep looking for exclusive programming that entertains and lifts people up. We are excited to bring this timely comedy to our US audience.”

Seth Needle, SVP of Worldwide Acquisitions at Screen Media Ventures, negotiated the deal on behalf of Crackle Plus with Kane Guglielmi via his China Shop Productions.

 ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The company owns a majority stake in Crackle Plus, a company formed with Sony Pictures Television, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media subsidiary and produces original long and short-form content through Landmark Studio Group, its Chicken Soup for the Soul Originals division and APlus.com. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.

ABOUT CRACKLE PLUS                                                                                                                                                

Crackle Plus is a video-on-demand (VOD) joint venture formed by Sony Pictures Television and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE). The company’s consumer facing ad-supported VOD (AVOD) channels include Crackle (US and Canada), Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Popcornflix Comedy, Frightpix, and Espanolflix. It also owns subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform Pivotshare. Crackle Plus reaches over 40 million monthly visitors making it one of the largest AVOD streaming platforms in the U.S. Its content library includes over 70,000 hours of programming.

ABOUT SCREEN MEDIA VENTURES, LLC

Screen Media Ventures, LLC, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) company, acquires the rights to high quality, independent television series and feature films for the US and Canada. Screen Media Ventures acquires worldwide rights for distribution through theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable and pay television, video-on-demand, and new digital media platforms. The company acquires AVOD rights for third party networks and is the main supplier of content for Crackle Plus and other Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment properties. With a library of over 1,500 television series and motion pictures, Screen Media Ventures is one of the largest independent suppliers of high-quality tv series and motion pictures to U.S. and international broadcast markets, cable networks, home video outlets and new media venues. For more information, visit: www.screenmedia.net