Bridge Independent Boards Psychological Horror 'Henry's Ebb'

Bridge Independent has taken on worldwide sales for the psychological horror film "Henry's Ebb," starring Kingston Rumi Southwick of "Widow's Bay." The film makes its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

The debut feature from writer-director Thomas Mendolia also stars Banks Repeta ("The Black Phone"), Ashley Shelton and Will Holland, with supporting performances from Rebecca Koon and Austin Willard.

What is 'Henry's Ebb' about?

The story follows Henry, a boy who flees his troubled home in search of the father he barely remembers. He travels with Ebb, the imaginary friend he created to survive a tumultuous childhood. As the pair move through the backroads of the American South, Ebb's protection turns increasingly controlling, forcing Henry to question the companion he has always trusted.

Who is selling and producing the film?

• Bill Straus of Bridge Independent handles domestic sales.
• Logan Taylor of New Ratio Films serves as sales and distribution consultant.
• Lucas Ford and Joey LePage of Ford Films produce.
• Tony Tehle and Irina Slepneva serve as co-producers.

Where has the film screened?

"Henry's Ebb" was previously selected for the Frontières Buyers Showcase at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival. After its Tallinn world premiere, the film will have its U.S. premiere at the Cucalorus Film Festival in North Carolina, where the production was filmed and set.

Why did the director shoot in his hometown?

Mendolia grew up in Elkin, North Carolina, and shot the film there. He said in a statement: "Elkin exists in my mind as both magical and painful, and that duality felt essential to the story. I wrote it around real locations from my memory, and knew that shooting here was crucial. Henry moves through a world that is full of wonder, but also shaped by the complicated lives of the adults around him. Setting the film there allowed those two feelings to coexist in the same space."

With sales now in place ahead of Tallinn, "Henry's Ebb" positions itself as a hometown-rooted horror debut with a festival path that runs from Cannes's market to North Carolina.