Strand Releasing has acquired North American distribution rights to "Sparks," Fergus Campbell's debut feature about movie-loving teenagers who cook up a time-travel scheme. The company will release the film theatrically in spring 2027.

Campbell wrote and directed the film; Lola Lafia produced. Golden Globe nominee Elsie Fisher, best known for Bo Burnham's "Eighth Grade," stars opposite Charlie B. Foster — the child of Jodie Foster — who recently made their television debut on the Nicole Kidman-starring "Scarpetta."

The plot turns on an urban legend that a Nevada reservoir serves as a time portal. A group of aimless teenage best friends becomes obsessed with traveling back into history. Their project takes on new urgency when Cleo (Fisher) moves to town and resolves to reach 1960s Paris, where she intends to become Jean-Luc Godard's muse.

"Sparks" had its world premiere at SXSW in March and has since played Provincetown, Frameline, Outfest and Melbourne, with Nashville and further festivals slated for the fall. The cast also includes Madison Hu, Thomas Deen Baker, Denny McAuliffe and Simon Downes Toney. Dominique Bravo executive produced; Sean Gullette co-produced.

Campbell framed the acquisition as a lifeline for a film about feeling rather than commerce. "One of the special things about Strand is their history of championing new voices, which is an increasingly rare endeavor," he said. "I feel lucky and grateful that Sparks — a film that mostly exists to inventory feelings of youth and restlessness and potential — will have a chance to find a wider audience and be remembered for the emotions and memories it stirs up."

Marcus Hu, co-founder of Strand Releasing, positioned the film within the company's auteur-driven identity. "We're thrilled to be working with Fergus and Lola on 'Sparks.' The Film feels like a true discovery and one that seems tailor-fit to our library of auteurs; we can't wait for audiences to see the film and experience this vision," he said.

RJ Millard and Katherine Matthews of Obscured Pictures negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers; Hu and Jon Gerrans negotiated for Strand Releasing.

Strand's current slate includes the Mexican Oscar entry "On the Road" by David Pablos, Gregg Araki's 4K restoration of "Mysterious Skin," and Brydie O'Connor's "Barbara Forever." "Sparks" joins that lineup as the company continues its three-decade pattern of picking up festival features from first-time directors — a bet that a SXSW premiere about Godard and teenage restlessness can find its audience in theaters two years after its debut.