Sundance Winner 'Josephine' Lands Major US Distribution Deal

Sumerian Pictures Bets Big on Challenging Indie Drama After Bidding War

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The independent film 'Josephine,' which won acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival, has secured a major distribution deal with Sumerian Pictures in a seven-figure agreement. The drama, centered on an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a crime, faced significant hurdles in securing financing due to its sensitive subject matter, but the involvement of producers Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan helped overcome these obstacles. Sumerian Pictures, a new player in the indie film landscape, is positioning itself as a champion of artist-driven projects and has committed to a substantial theatrical release and awards campaign for 'Josephine.'

Why it matters

The acquisition of 'Josephine' by Sumerian Pictures marks a potentially significant shift in independent film distribution, as the company is willing to invest in challenging, emotionally resonant stories that might have been overlooked by larger studios. This demonstrates a belief that audiences are hungry for authentic, powerful narratives, even if they don't fit neatly into established genre categories.

The details

The production of 'Josephine' was a financially precarious undertaking, with the $6 million film not securing full financing until six days into principal photography. Producer David Kaplan revealed that '99% of the people we went to' initially rejected the project due to concerns about its dark subject matter and commercial viability. The involvement of Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan as producers was crucial in overcoming these obstacles, with both actors actively participating in fundraising efforts.

  • The film 'Josephine' won acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026.
  • Sumerian Pictures acquired the distribution rights to 'Josephine' during the Berlin Film Festival in 2026.

The players

Sumerian Pictures

An independent creative studio and film distributor founded by Ash Avildsen, positioning itself as a champion of artist-driven projects.

Channing Tatum

An actor who served as a producer on 'Josephine,' actively participating in fundraising efforts for the film.

Gemma Chan

An actress who served as a producer on 'Josephine,' demonstrating long-standing dedication to the project.

Beth de Araújo

The director of 'Josephine,' who discovered the film's young lead, Mason Lily Reeves, at a farmer's market just weeks before production.

David Kaplan

The producer of 'Josephine,' who emphasized the importance of finding a distributor committed to both financial returns and a substantial theatrical release.

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What they’re saying

“We must find distributors who are committed to both financial returns for investors and a substantial theatrical release.”

— David Kaplan, Producer (newsy-today.com)

“Sumerian offered a very meaningful screen commitment, a very meaningful P&A commitment, and viewed 'Josephine' as a flagship release.”

— David Kaplan, Producer (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Sumerian Pictures is expected to launch a major awards campaign for 'Josephine' in the lead-up to the next Oscar season.

The takeaway

The success of 'Josephine' could encourage other distributors to take similar risks on challenging, character-driven stories, demonstrating that there is an audience for films that grapple with difficult themes and prioritize emotional authenticity.