Blue Harbor Takes On ‘An Autumn Summer’: A Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Love Story Set for Theatrical Release in May
Exclusive Acquisition: ‘An Autumn Summer’ Secures Distribution Deal
The coming-of-age romantic feature An Autumn Summer, featuring Lukita Maxwell and Mark McKenna, has been acquired by Blue Harbor Entertainment.
Maxwell has garnered attention for her roles in Apple TV’s Shrinking and A24’s forthcoming film Backrooms. McKenna is known for his work in the YouTube Premium series Wayne and the musical film Sing Street.
The film centers on Kevin, portrayed by McKenna, and Cody, played by Maxwell, as they navigate their final month together in a lakeside town in Michigan before heading off to college.
Written and directed by Jared Isaac, An Autumn Summer recently enjoyed a successful festival run. It is set to premiere on April 23 in Chicago at the Music Box Theatre, where Isaac will participate in a Q&A session moderated by filmmaker Joe Swanberg, recognized for his mumblecore films such as Hannah Takes the Stairs.
A theatrical release is slated for May 1, with a digital rollout scheduled for a month later. The film had its world premiere at the Heartland Film Festival in 2024 and has already won several awards during its festival circuit.
Founded in 2023, Blue Harbor Entertainment is spearheaded by Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina, and Seth Needle, all of whom previously held senior executive positions at Screen Media prior to its dissolution in 2024. The company’s portfolio includes indie titles like A Nice Indian Boy and Audrey’s Children, which portrays the life of Dr. Audrey Evans.
Isaac spoke about An Autumn Summer, noting, “The story is real, the place is real, and it’s a feeling I’ve wanted to bottle up and take with me wherever I am. It’s pure and uncynical, unapologetically romantic. It’s about the few individuals who stay with us forever, whether we’re conscious of it or not.”
The Blue Harbor executive team expressed their enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We love working on discovery films like this, and our model is built to give filmmakers the support and access they need to truly be discovered by audiences.”
The film’s director of photography, Brandon Somerhalder, previously won an Academy Award for his work on The Queen of Basketball and received a nomination for his documentary Come See Me in the Good Light. An Autumn Summer marks his debut in narrative features.
Produced by JohnPaul Morris, Becky Boggs, Zach Aries, and Isaac, the film’s executive producer is Joshua D. Rogers.
