Independent Film Company and Sapan Studios have acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to “Mouse,” the latest film from “Ghostlight” and “St. Francis” filmmaking duo Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson.
The coming-of-age drama had its world premiere at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, where it received glowing reviews, with Variety’s Peter De Bruges calling the story of high school best friends “intelligent, insightful, and true.” This is the second collaboration between filmmakers from both companies, following 2024’s Ghostlight, which was nominated for multiple awards and received critical acclaim. Independent Film Company and Sapan Studios are considering “Maus” as another option. The film is scheduled to hit theaters in the fall of 2026, right in the middle of awards season.
“Mouse,” written by O’Sullivan, co-stars Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo (“Hotel Rwanda”) and breakout talent Katherine Maren Kupferer, who received a lot of attention for her debut performance in “Ghostlight.” The film also stars Chloe Coleman, Tara Mullen, Iman Vellani, and Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce.
Set in 2002, it follows Minnie (Kupferrer) and Callie (Coleman) as they head into their senior year of high school, with Minnie long living in the shadow of the charismatic and admired Callie. When their friendship is abruptly upended at the beginning of the summer, Minnie struggles to define her own identity and develops a complicated relationship with Callie’s calm, attentive mother (Okonedo), further separating Callie from her chaotic home.
“Following the success of ‘Ghostlight,’ working with independent film companies and Sapan Studios feels like coming home,” O’Sullivan and Thompson said in a statement. “We are honored to introduce Mouse to the world with such experienced and legendary partners.”
“We are honored to continue collaborating with great filmmakers like Kelly and Alex, whose films remind us why independent storytelling is important,” said Ayo Kefer Maat, Vice President of Acquisitions and Production at Independent Film Company. “‘Maus’ is a deeply moving and vital film, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience it in theaters.”
“Following ‘Ghostlight,’ we’re delighted to be reunited with the wonderful Kerry O’Sullivan and Alex Thomson,” said Josh Sapan, founder of Sapan Studios. “They have created a tender, incisive film with a great cast for maximum impact. There is no one better than an independent film company to bring this sensitive family drama to the world.”
The film was produced by Chelsea Crant, Pierce Cravens, and Alex Thompson, and starred Abigail Rose Solomon, Bonnie Comrie, Stewart F. Lane, Stephen A. Jones, Ian Kaiser, and Alex Wilson. Keffer Mart negotiated the contract on behalf of Independent Film Company, and Jessica Lacey negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.
