Kelly Marie Tran Thriller 'Forge,' Time-Loop Drama 'Desert Road' Picked Up by MSC for EFM

MSC acquires two genre titles launching at the European Film Market.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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London and New York-based sales company The Mise En Scène Company has acquired international rights to a pair of genre titles launching at the European Film Market: crime thriller 'Forge' and psychological thriller 'Desert Road.' 'Forge' marks the feature directorial debut of Jing Ai Ng and stars Kelly Marie Tran and Andie Ju as siblings who accept a millionaire's offer to replace and sell his family's art collection. 'Desert Road' follows a young photographer trapped in a time loop on a remote desert road and stars Kristine Froseth, Beau Bridges, and Ryan Hurst.

Why it matters

The acquisitions expand MSC's EFM lineup, which also features other high-profile titles. The European Film Market is a major international film industry event, so these acquisitions represent significant deals for the films' distribution and exposure.

The details

In 'Forge,' Kelly Marie Tran and Andie Ju play siblings Coco, a talented painter, and Raymond, a natural hustler, who accept a millionaire's offer to replace and sell his family's art collection as an FBI agent closes in. 'Desert Road' follows a young photographer, played by Kristine Froseth, who finds herself lost in a time loop on a remote desert road and must master its rules to engineer an escape. The film also stars Beau Bridges and Ryan Hurst in supporting roles.

  • The films received their world premieres at SXSW.
  • The European Film Market is taking place in Berlin.

The players

The Mise En Scène Company

A London and New York-based sales company that has acquired the international rights to 'Forge' and 'Desert Road'.

Kelly Marie Tran

An actress who stars in the thriller 'Forge'.

Kristine Froseth

An actress who stars in the time-loop drama 'Desert Road'.

Beau Bridges

An actor who has a supporting role in 'Desert Road'.

Ryan Hurst

An actor who has a supporting role in 'Desert Road'.

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What they’re saying

“I am so excited to be launching 'Forge' and 'Desert Road' at EFM. My love of film business began at this market, and I will forever be in awe at what Beki Probst achieved founding the market. I can't think of a better place to launch these two amazing titles together with our incredible slate than at this year's European Film Market in Berlin.”

— Paul Yates, CEO, The Mise En Scène Company (Variety)

What’s next

Firebrand Media Group, led by Josh Clayton, will distribute 'Desert Road' theatrically in the U.S. later this year.

The takeaway

The acquisition of these two genre titles by a major international sales company like MSC highlights the continued demand for compelling, high-quality independent films in the global marketplace, especially at major industry events like the European Film Market.