Sumerian’s Journey with Sundance Favorite ‘Josephine’ and What It Means for Indie Film Buyers Going Forward
Sumerian Pictures Scores Major Acquisition at Sundance with ‘Josephine’
Sumerian Pictures has made waves at the Sundance Film Festival with its acquisition of the highly acclaimed film, Josephine*. This significant move was prompted by a passionate endorsement from Rob Williams, Sumerian’s content chief, after he viewed the film at the festival.
Williams quickly reached out to Ash Avildsen, the founder of Sumerian, expressing the need for him to see the film immediately. Avildsen acted fast, driving approximately 40 miles from Park City to Salt Lake City for another screening. He described his emotional response, stating, "I haven’t cried like that in a theater in quite some time… It was an incredible film with a beautiful third act."
Directed by Beth de Araújo, Josephine features performances from Gemma Chan, Channing Tatum, and newcomer Mason Reeves, who plays an eight-year-old who witnesses a horrific crime in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The film is inspired by de Araújo’s personal experiences and quickly became one of the most discussed films at Sundance.
Following his enthusiastic impression of the film, Avildsen communicated with his team, declaring it a masterpiece and emphasizing the urgency to secure the film for distribution. The acquisition sparked a competitive bidding environment, with multiple prominent buyers vying for the film, which later won both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Sources reveal that Sumerian’s domestic deal concluded at around $6 million, including a commitment to promotional and advertising efforts. The announcement came shortly after the Berlin Film Festival, where Josephine had its international premiere. While questions arose about Sumerian’s capability to secure such a significant deal, many viewed the acquisition as fitting for a festival known for its underdog success stories.
Avildsen reflected on the journey, noting the synergy between Josephine and Sumerian. He acknowledged the challenges the filmmakers faced in bringing the film to fruition, highlighting the film’s underdog narrative, especially with a young lead actor who had no prior credits.
Sumerian Pictures, which has its roots in the music industry, was founded by Avildsen 20 years ago as Sumerian Records. The label has grown to represent various successful indie and metal artists. In 2022, the company expanded its reach by acquiring Behemoth Entertainment, a comic book and video game publisher. Avildsen’s background in film—being the son of Oscar-winning director John G. Avildsen—has shaped his ambition for Sumerian’s film division.
Williams joined Sumerian in October to spearhead its film distribution efforts, with Josephine marking a pivotal moment for the nascent division. He underscored the importance of collaboration, stating, “We won’t be cutting any corners with the personnel and companies that we’ll collaborate with to fully support Josephine.”
The Sumerian team, now around 30 full-time employees with plans for further hires, is gearing up to release approximately seven films in the coming year, with Josephine poised for further festival appearances before a potential release later this year.
The company has also initiated its acquisition strategy for other films, following up its Sundance success with the acquisition of the comedy The Incomer, starring Domhnall Gleeson. Avildsen expressed optimism about the expansion of Sumerian’s film offerings, referencing the renewed value of recorded music as enabling their foray into ambitious projects.
“As a fully independent company, we take chances on art,” Avildsen asserted, reflecting a commitment to engaging with both emerging and established talent. With a clear vision for the future, Sumerian aims to scout films at major festivals, highlighting its intent to be a significant player in the evolving film industry landscape.*
Ash Avildsen (courtesy) & Rob Williams
‘The Incomer’
