Joe Swanberg’s ‘The Sun Never Sets’ to be Released in Theaters by Independent Film Company and Sapan Studio
EXCLUSIVE: Following its premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW), Joe Swanberg’s film The Sun Never Sets has secured U.S. theatrical distribution through Independent Film Company and Sapan Studio.
The romantic drama features Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson, and Cory Michael Smith and is set to be released later this year.
This marks Swanberg’s tenth collaboration with Independent Film Company and his first film in nearly a decade. The plot centers around Wendy (Fanning), an Alaskan woman whose life is disrupted when her boyfriend Jack (Johnson), older and divorced with children, seeks space to evaluate their relationship. During their separation, Wendy reconnects with her ex, Chuck (Smith), leading to a complex love triangle that compels them to confront issues of love, timing, and personal growth.
Swanberg, an established indie filmmaker known for works like Drinking Buddies and Netflix’s Easy, directed the film from his own screenplay. The cast also includes Debby Ryan, Anna Konkle, Lamorne Morris, and Karley Sciortino.
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Producers for the film include Johnson, Fanning, Smith, Swanberg, and Ashleigh Snead, with executive producers Dan Johnson, Kathryn Gitibin Parsa, and Ariana Parsa.
Swanberg expressed his appreciation for Independent Film Company, stating, “They have done a masterful job releasing my films since the beginning of my career. They continue to innovate and effectively connect audiences with the best global cinema, and I’m honored to continue our nearly 20-year collaboration. In partnership with Sapan Studio, whose passion for the film is inspiring, I look forward to reaching the largest possible audience, both theatrically and digitally.”
Scott Shooman, Head of IFC Entertainment Group, shared, “Joe Swanberg’s longstanding relationship with Independent Film Company reflects our enduring commitment to championing distinctive storytellers who create meaningful, impactful work. Over the course of ten films together at IFC, he has consistently delivered work that feels deeply human, intimate, and emotionally authentic. With THE SUN NEVER SETS, he continues that tradition, and we’re especially proud to bring this beautiful story to the big screen where it may be best shared with audiences in a communal way.”
Josh Sapan of Sapan Studio added, “THE SUN NEVER SETS is Joe Swanberg at his finest. The deft script and brilliant cast yield true-to-life characters that are impossible to resist. There is no one better than IFC to bring this rare film to audiences and the world.”
Ayo Kepher-Maat negotiated the deal on behalf of Independent Film Company, while UTA represented the filmmakers.
