Fall Festival Sales: $10 Million Deal Tops TIFF Acquisitions

Focus Features and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have acquired an untitled thriller from director Joshua Giuliano in a deal that could surpass $10 million, the companies confirmed following its premiere in the TIFF Midnight Madness section.

The acquisition, first reported by IndieWire, marks the second consecutive year the companies have pursued festival breakouts after last year's "Obsession." The film was originally set up at Independent Film Company and Shudder.

Which Venice prize winner found a US distributor?

1-2 Special has picked up "A Day in the Life of Jo: Chapter Phaedra," the Venice Film Festival Orizzonti section prize winner from Greek director Jacqueline Lentzou. Lentzou won the Best Director prize in Venice's Horizons section. 1-2 Special acquired the film after its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival, ahead of additional screenings at BFI London, Chicago International, and Busan International.

The release describes the film as blending "the cosmic and the mundane." It follows a 15-year-old girl who meets a classmate named Phaedra while noticing signs and symbols from a dream world surfacing around her. The film is Lentzou's second feature after 2021's "Moon, 66 Questions." 1-2 Special is planning a theatrical release for 2027.

What did Sony buy for April 2027?

Sony Pictures has acquired the action-thriller from director Roshan Sethi, starring Michelle Yeoh as a surgeon abducted and forced to operate on a mysterious patient. The film premiered as a TIFF Centrepiece. Sony has dated the film for release on April 2, 2027.

Sethi previously directed the rom-com "A Nice Indian Boy" and co-created the medical drama "The Resident." Festival pickups by major studios remain uncommon.

Where did the Megan Rapinoe documentary land?

HBO Documentary Films has secured North American TV and streaming rights to "Rapinoe," directed by Rebecca Huntt. The film opened TIFF's documentary section and features Rapinoe in attendance at its premiere. Huntt's previous film was "Beba."

The release notes that the documentary "grapples more with Rapinoe's progressive politics, such as her kneeling in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, and her coming out story, than it does on the stories from her soccer career." Rapinoe led the US Women's team to two World Cup titles, an Olympic gold, and the Ballon d'Or. THR first reported the news.

Which comedy went to Roadside and Vertical?

Lauren Miller Rogen directs her husband Seth Rogen alongside Anna Kendrick and Kate Berlant in "Babies," acquired by Roadside Attractions and Vertical following its TIFF Gala Presentation premiere at Roy Thomson Hall. The comedy follows a childless couple debating parenthood when their divorced friend and her child move in.

Supporting cast includes Issa Rae, Dan Stevens, Zach Cherry, Ed Helms, Ashley Park, Sharon Stone, and David Strathairn. The distributors are planning an early 2027 release. Sales launched at TIFF nearly a year before the premiere.

How did Focus position its Ian Charleson film?

Focus Features has acquired Simon Stone's film starring Andrew Scott as "Chariots of Fire" and "Gandhi" actor Ian Charleson, who died of AIDS at 40 after raising awareness for the epidemic. The film premiered at Telluride and TIFF. Focus has dated the release for late November, the same awards corridor it gave "Hamnet" last year.

What did Netflix take from Venice?

Netflix acquired "Ink," Danny Boyle's opening night film for the Venice Biennale. The film dramatizes the 1960s launch of The Sun tabloid, charting the collaboration between editor Larry Lamb (Jack O'Connell) and Rupert Murdoch (Guy Pearce). Netflix did not acquire worldwide rights, positioning the title for both commercial and awards play.

With Venice, TIFF, and Telluride now behind the trade, the fall slate points to a crowded first half of 2027, when at least four of these titles are scheduled to open within months of each other.