Brief
Producers self‑release ‘In the Shadows’ after True Brit’s collapse
The film about boxer Ramla Ali will open on more than 30 UK screens after financiers added extra funding.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Producers of the British boxing biopic “In the Shadows” announced a self‑release in the United Kingdom after its distributor, True Brit Entertainment, filed for administration in late September, Variety reported.
What happened
The film, which tells the true story of Somali‑British boxer, model and UNICEF Ambassador Ramla Ali, was slated to premiere at the London Film Festival on Oct. 9. When True Brit announced it could not fund the film’s prints‑and‑advertising spend in mid‑September, producers Lee Magiday and Madeleine Sanderson turned to their executive producers for additional money.
What the reports add
Variety noted that the backers – Richard Fearn, Anushka Shah and Natasha Mudhar – provided the extra financing, while Altitude Films’ Will Clarke is handling global sales. Former True Brit executive Kate Neville‑Towle will oversee UK marketing, and Metis Films’ Ben Metcalf will manage physical distribution.
What was said
"We had to mobilize very quickly — it really was the 11th hour," Magiday told Variety. Sanderson added, "It’s really nice because a lot of people really love the film, love Ramla and love what we’re doing — so it’s a bit like a community."
How it came about
The rescue follows True Brit Entertainment’s filing for administration on Sept. 30, as reported by Felo News (see previous coverage). With the London Film Festival premiere secured, the film will open on more than 30 UK screens, beginning with a special screening and Q&A on Oct. 30 at London’s Genesis Cinema, where Ali will also appear ahead of her Nov. 8 world‑title fight in the United States.
Key facts
- True Brit Entertainment filed for administration in late September 2026. (variety.com)
- Producers secured extra financing from executive producers to cover P&A costs. (variety.com)
- 'In the Shadows' will self‑release on over 30 UK screens starting Oct. 30. (variety.com)
- Ramla Ali, the film’s subject, has a world title fight scheduled for Nov. 8 in the US. (variety.com)
Timeline
- 2026-09-30 — True Brit Entertainment files for administration
- 2026-10-07 — Producers announce self‑release plan
- 2026-10-30 — Special UK screening and Q&A at Genesis Cinema
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “‘In the Shadows’ Producers to Self-Release British Boxing Biopic Following Collapse of U. K. Distributor True Brit Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)”
