Sony Pictures Classics has secured worldwide rights to the Sundance Film Festival standout, Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!, marking the first dramatic competition sale of the 2026 festival.

Directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka, whose Park City premiere received a standing ovation, the film will be released theatrically across North America, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The studio will act as the primary financier and distributor in these regions, reigniting interest in international musical dramas.

The film stars Academy Award nominee Rinko Kikuchi as Haru, a grieving widow in Tokyo who discovers healing through the city’s vibrant ballroom dancing scene. The ensemble cast also features Alberto Guerra as her dance instructor Fedir, along with Alejandro Edda, Yoh Yoshida, and the actress known as YOU.

Co-written by Wladyka and Nicholas Huynh, the film showcases choreography and imaginative dance sequences that express the protagonist’s emotional journey. Producers Kimberly Parker Zox and Mao Nagakura spearheaded the project’s development.

The deal, negotiated between CAA Media Finance and Sony Pictures Classics, consolidates the film’s global distribution under one company. Sony Pictures Classics plans a strong theatrical release in late 2026, building on the critical acclaim and Wladyka’s Directing Award at Sundance.

By acquiring all rights beyond the initial regional interest, the studio aims to position the film as a significant contender in the international awards season, highlighting its blend of Japanese culture and universal themes of resilience.

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