Steven Paul's Thriller 'The Highest Stakes' to Premiere at Beverly Hills Film Festival

New movie from SP Media Group continues producer's global production success.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:07pm

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An extreme close-up of shimmering, textured sequins reflecting dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and high-stakes drama of the film industry.The premiere of SP Media Group's latest thriller 'The Highest Stakes' at the Beverly Hills Film Festival showcases the company's commitment to producing visually striking, commercially appealing films.Los Angeles Today

SP Media Group, led by veteran producer Steven Paul, announced that its latest feature film 'The Highest Stakes' will premiere at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on April 13. The suspense thriller, directed by Tony Dean Smith and starring Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, and Charlie Weber, follows five strangers invited to a high-stakes poker game that turns deadly. The premiere comes amid a wave of production momentum for SP Media Group, including the recent global success of 'Man with No Past' and the upcoming release of 'The Last Firefighter'.

Why it matters

The premiere of 'The Highest Stakes' at the prestigious Beverly Hills Film Festival highlights SP Media Group's growing reputation for producing commercially appealing thrillers with strong storytelling. The film's release also coincides with the company's expansion of its production capabilities, including the recent acquisition of Avenue Six Studios, which provides production financing and other support for projects filmed on-site.

The details

Directed by Tony Dean Smith and written by Gary Preisler from a story by Paul, 'The Highest Stakes' follows five strangers invited to a luxurious hotel for an exclusive poker game that quickly spirals into a dangerous fight for survival as secrets emerge and tensions escalate. The film stars Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, Dylan Walsh, Eloise Lovell Anderson, Chloe Fox, and Dan Bucatinsky.

  • The Highest Stakes will premiere at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on April 13, 2026.
  • SP Media Group's recent release, 'Man with No Past', has become the #1 film on Paramount+ in 18 countries worldwide.
  • The company's upcoming drama 'The Last Firefighter', starring Jon Voight and Kelsey Grammer, has wrapped production.

The players

Steven Paul

Chairman and CEO of SP Media Group, a leading independent film production company.

Tony Dean Smith

Director of 'The Highest Stakes'.

Seth Green

Actor starring in 'The Highest Stakes'.

Kevin Dillon

Actor starring in 'The Highest Stakes'.

Charlie Weber

Actor starring in 'The Highest Stakes'.

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What they’re saying

“The Highest Stakes is exactly the kind of film we're focused on right now, one that's designed to connect with audiences in a direct and immediate way.”

— Steven Paul, Chairman and CEO of SP Media Group

“The Highest Stakes reflects our approach to building an on-brand film for SP Media Group that balances commercial appeal with strong storytelling.”

— Scott Karol, President of SP Media Group/Atlas Comics

What’s next

The Highest Stakes will premiere at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on April 13, 2026, marking a significant milestone for SP Media Group's growing production slate.

The takeaway

SP Media Group's focus on producing commercially appealing thrillers with strong storytelling, combined with the company's recent production and distribution expansions, positions it for continued success in the global entertainment market.