New York-based indie distributor Dekanalog has acquired the U.S. rights to "Nina Roza," Canada's submission for the Academy Awards and winner of the Silver Bear for best screenplay at this year's Berlin Film Festival.

Geneviève Dulude-De Celles directed the film, which traces a story rooted in displacement and the art world. In "Nina Roza," a viral video of an 8-year-old Bulgarian artist draws the attention of a major art collector. Mihail, who left his home country 30 years earlier, is sent to assess the girl's work — and to confront the ghosts of his past.

The film arrived on the festival circuit before its Berlin triumph. It screened as a work-in-progress in the First Look program at the 78th Locarno Film Festival in 2025, where it won the Urban Post First Look Award and the Jannuzzi Smith Award.

Dekanalog plans a theatrical release for "Nina Roza" in early 2027, followed by debuts on VOD and Blu-ray. The distributor has also picked up U.S. rights to Dulude-De Celles' 2018 feature, "A Colony," which it plans to release next year.

Sam Wunderl, partner at Dekanalog, framed the acquisition around the film's take on migration. "'Nina Roza' brilliantly explores the subtle, but profound ways immigration affects a person's identity — something all too rarely depicted on screen," Wunderl said. "We are incredibly proud to be bringing Dulude-De Celles's work to a U.S. audience."

Dulude-De Celles said she welcomed the film's path to American viewers. "I am thrilled that 'Nina Roza' has the opportunity to be presented in the United States," she said. "By following the journey of a Canadian of Bulgarian origin who returns to his home country, the film invites us to look with empathy at those who choose to settle far from their homeland. I hope the film will spark discussions about identity, heritage, and the long-term cost of immigration. Our team feels in good hands with Dekanalog and is excited about the next steps in our collaboration."

The deal gives Dekanalog a slate built around a single filmmaker's catalogue, pairing a Berlin-decorated awards contender with an earlier feature still unseen by most U.S. audiences ahead of its planned release next year.