Vertigo Releasing Takes 'The State of Us' to U.K. Cinemas in 2027

Vertigo Releasing has acquired U.K. theatrical rights to "The State of Us," the British coming-of-age comedy starring Samuel Bottomley and Callum Scott Howells, and will release it in British cinemas in 2027.

The deal lands ahead of Monday's screening of the film at the Rome Film Festival. "The State of Us" had its world premiere earlier this year in the main competition at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The film marks the directorial debut of Jake Harvey and Ollinne Gardner's directing partner Jake Harvey — both Harvey and Ollie Gardner direct for the first time here.

What is the film about?

The Yorkshire-shot feature unfolds over a single night. It follows nineteen-year-old Frankie as he breaks his dying friend Taylor out of a hospice for their annual ritual: watching fireworks from their favourite hilltop, in memory of Frankie's parents. As the night spirals into chaos, the friendship is pushed to breaking point, and Frankie confronts the truth he has circled all night — how far he will go to avoid being left behind. Taylor, as his time runs out, leaves Frankie one final wish: to find beauty in the wreckage and the will to keep living.

Bottomley's credits include "California Schemin'" and "How To Have Sex." Scott Howells is known for "Madfabulous" and "It's a Sin."

The supporting cast includes:

• Safia Oakley-Green ("Anemone," "The Bluff")
• Seamus O'Hara ("The Irish Goodbye," "House of Guinness")
• Sunetra Sarker ("Brookside," "Ackley Bridge")
• Frances Barber ("Mr Holmes," "Trick or Treat")

Who made it?

Harvey wrote the screenplay. He produces alongside Pippa Cross and Dylan Rees; the producers' combined credits include "Chalet Girl," "Made in Italy" and "7 Keys." Tom Ogden, frontman of the indie band Blossoms, composed the original music.

Executive producers are James Scott and James Spring of Circus Studios, together with Rachel Hunter, Alastair Mavor and Janette Day. Circus Studios is handling worldwide sales.

"The State of Us" is presented by Noughty Pictures in association with Screen Yorkshire, and produced by Restless Pictures and Crossday Productions in association with 4 8 Fourteen Films and Circus Studios. Playhouse Studios handled post-production.

What does the deal change?

For a debut feature, a theatrical commitment from an established U.K. distributor answers the practical question every festival premiere raises: audiences will get to see it on a cinema screen. The 2027 window also gives Vertigo time to build on the film's Edinburgh and Rome exposure before release — while international buyers can still take the film territory by territory through Circus Studios.

By Marcus Bennett