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- Strand Releasing secures North American rights, plans spring 2027 opening
- A cast of emerging talent and a filmmaker with a clear vision
- Plot hook: a Nevada reservoir, a rumor, and a trip to 1960s Paris
- Festival momentum built since SXSW premiere
- Filmmaker’s hopes and distributor response
- How the deal came together
- Where Sparks fits in Strand’s lineup
A fresh indie drama with a time-travel twist is lining up for theaters next spring after a new distribution deal. Young stars with festival buzz, a director with a distinct voice, and a plot that mixes teenage longing with a mythic Nevada portal are at the heart of this acquisition.
Strand Releasing secures North American rights, plans spring 2027 opening
Strand Releasing has acquired North American distribution for the indie film Sparks. The company confirmed a theatrical rollout set for spring 2027. The move positions the film for a broad festival-to-theater journey.
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A cast of emerging talent and a filmmaker with a clear vision
The film is written and directed by Fergus Campbell and produced by Lola Lafia. It stars Elsie Fisher, known for Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade, opposite Charlie B. Foster, who recently debuted on television in Scarpetta.
- Other cast members include Madison Hu, Thomas Deen Baker, Denny McAuliffe, and Simon Downes Toney.
- Executive producers include Dominique Bravo; Sean Gullette is listed as a co-producer.
Background on the leads
Fisher has built a reputation for emotionally rich, intense performances. Foster, son of Jodie Foster, is an emerging presence after recent TV work. Their pairing anchors the film’s teen-driven narrative.
Plot hook: a Nevada reservoir, a rumor, and a trip to 1960s Paris
The story follows a tight-knit group of teenagers obsessed with an urban legend that a Nevada reservoir is actually a time portal. Their plan becomes urgent when Cleo, played by Elsie Fisher, moves to town.
Cleo fixates on traveling back to 1960s Paris. She imagines herself as a muse to Jean-Luc Godard and pushes the group toward the impossible. The film explores youth, craving, and the hazy line between fantasy and action.
Festival momentum built since SXSW premiere
Sparks debuted at SXSW in March and has toured several festivals since.
- Provincetown
- Frameline
- Outfest
- Melbourne
- Nashville, with more screenings scheduled
The festival run has amplified word of mouth and helped attract the attention of distributors.
Filmmaker’s hopes and distributor response
Director Fergus Campbell said the film aims to capture the restlessness of youth and the vivid textures of memory. He welcomed Strand’s support as a way to reach a wider audience and keep the film alive in viewers’ memories.
Marcus Hu, co-founder of Strand Releasing, described the movie as a discovery that fits the company’s taste for auteur-driven work. The distributor emphasized the film’s emotional clarity and its fit with their catalog.
How the deal came together
The acquisition was negotiated by RJ Millard and Katherine Matthews of Obscured Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers. From Strand, Marcus Hu and Jon Gerrans handled the agreement.
Where Sparks fits in Strand’s lineup
Strand Releasing’s recent slate shows a focus on international and restored works.
- Mexican Oscar entry On the Road by David Pablos
- Gregg Araki’s 4K restoration of Mysterious Skin
- Brydie O’Connor’s Barbara Forever
The company’s catalog signals a preference for bold, cinematic voices and films that invite discussion.
