The Circuit

HBO Documentary Films has picked up North American theatrical and television rights to "An Omar Broadway Film" directed by Omar Broadway and Douglas Tirola. 

Docu is a first-person look at prison life shot by Broadway, an inmate at a high security gang unit in Newark who smuggled a video camera into his cell, secretly filming riots and prison guard abuse through his small window.  HBO will give the film a theatrical run in New York and LA for Oscar consideration. 

"HBO's enthusiasm is what sold us.  It's an opportunity to get it out to the biggest audience, namely in the urban areas," said Tirola.

Tirola and his producing partner at 4th Row Films, Susan Bedusa, are currently working on three other docs, "Owning the Weather" directed by "Omar" editor Robert Greene, "Making the Boys" about the seminal gay play and movie "The Boys In The Band," and a poker docu, "All In," to be directed by Tirola.

"An Omar Broadway Film" premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, where we interviewed Tirola: