Sumerian Pictures has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the psychological thriller Josephine, featuring Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, and newcomer Mason Reeves, in a competitive seven-figure deal. The company, founded by Ash Avildsen and recently expanding into film distribution, plans a wide theatrical release along with a full awards campaign for the film.

Josephine premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received a strong emotional response and quickly became one of the festival’s standout titles. The film is set to have its international debut at the Berlin Film Festival next week.

Written and directed by Beth de Araújo, the film is a deeply personal, fictionalized story inspired by her own experiences. It follows an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a rape in Golden Gate Park. Mason Reeves, discovered by de Araújo at a San Francisco farmer’s market, plays the young lead. Tatum and Chan portray her parents as they navigate the aftermath of the traumatic event and seek justice for the survivor. Both actors also served as producers on the project.

De Araújo praised Reeves, saying, “It was magic when her audition tape came in. She’s never acted before, but she’s incredibly smart and emotionally intelligent.” She also expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Sumerian Pictures, stating, “I’m pleased to see that Sumerian has emerged as a new distribution company, made up of people who love films and are committed to inviting audiences into theaters.”

Sumerian Pictures CEO Ash Avildsen and President Rob Williams negotiated the deal alongside WME Independent and CAA Media Finance. They commented, “Josephine is an enthralling, deeply emotional, and powerful film that deserves all the acclaim and accolades it has already received from Sundance. We are thrilled to be working with Beth de Araújo and the entire team to bring this to audiences.”

The film’s January 23 premiere in Park City was a full-circle moment for de Araújo, who developed the project through the Sundance Institute’s Directors Lab. The screening concluded with a standing ovation, and Tatum celebrated by lifting his young co-star in the air as the cast joined de Araújo on stage.

Josephine is de Araújo’s second feature film, following her 2022 single-shot thriller Soft & Quiet, which premiered at SXSW and was later acquired by Blumhouse and released by Momentum Pictures.

Sumerian Pictures’ upcoming theatrical slate also includes the romantic comedy Mile End Kicks, David Verbeek’s The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard, Broken Voices from Ondřej Provazník, and Horsegirls directed by Lauren Meyering.

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