Goodfellas Takes on Beth De Araújo’s Award-Winning Film ‘Josephine’ as Excitement Grows for the 2026-27 Awards Season
Sales Rights Acquired for Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner ‘Josephine’ Ahead of Berlin Premiere
Sales rights for the acclaimed drama Josephine, directed by Beth de Araújo, have been secured by Goodfellas, just before its international debut at the Berlin Film Festival. The film, which clinched the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance, has generated significant buzz among international buyers.
Starring Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, Mason Reeves, Philip Ettinger, and Syra McCarthy, Josephine stands out as one of the most talked-about titles from Sundance. The film’s premiere at Park City has sparked interest in its sales rights, leading to this recent development.
The narrative, inspired by Araújo’s own childhood trauma, follows 8-year-old Josephine (Mason Reeves) as she witnesses a violent crime while spending time with her father in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. As her parents, played by Tatum and Chan, grapple with how to support their daughter, they confront their own fears about addressing the situation with her. The film explores Josephine’s emotional struggles at school and her journey toward understanding, showcasing her wisdom beyond her years.
Goodfellas will oversee international sales, while CAA Media Finance and WME Independent co-represent North American rights and are currently in discussions with multiple buyers.
The film’s dual Sundance honors have caught the attention of awards season analysts, drawing parallels to prior Best Picture nominees and winners like Minari and CODA, which achieved similar accolades in 2021. The favorable reviews for Araújo’s sensitive approach to the challenging subject matter have further positioned Josephine as a strong contender in early awards predictions.
Josephine marks Araújo’s second feature film, following her debut with Soft & Quiet in 2022, which premiered at SXSW and was distributed by Momentum Pictures. The production team includes David Kaplan, Josh Peters, Araújo, Marina Stabile, Tatum, Chan, Mark H. Rapaport, and Crystine Zhang.
