Independent distribution company Persimmon has acquired the rights to distribute the mystery film “Death on the Brandywine” in the United States and several international territories.
Kate Burton (Grey’s Anatomy), Lena Sofer (24), Tuck Watkins (Paradise), Jay Huguely (Cape Fear), Walt Willey (All The film stars Shanley Caswell (NCIS: New Orleans), Guy Narduri (Tulsa King), and Satomi Hoffman as amateur investigator Professor Millie Park.
In addition to the United States, the agreement covers Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. Written and directed by Nick Wilkinson and produced by Lisa G. Black and Nick Wilkinson, the film tells the story of a beloved senator who is found dead at a high-profile campaign fundraiser for his son. His daughter is determined to prove that it was not a suicide and uncover the truth.
“I drew inspiration from my admiration for the work of Agatha Christie and wanted to combine intrigue and emotional depth, suspense and dark humour,” Wilkinson said. “‘Death at Brandywine’ is a satirical look at how image, ambition and power collide in modern America. We are thrilled that Persimmon shares that vision and is partnering with us to bring this film to audiences.”
The film will have a limited theatrical release in New York on June 24th, followed by a digital release on Apple, Amazon, and Fandango. Elizabeth Costa de Beauregard Siegel of Storyboard Media negotiated the contract on behalf of the filmmakers, and Mackenzie Maguire negotiated on behalf of Persimmon.
Check out the trailer below.
Tuesday, June 9th
“1001 Frames,” directed by Meanouche Aria, won the Grand Chameleon Award at the Brooklyn Film Festival. Announcing the full list of winners
The 29th Brooklyn Film Festival has announced its 2026 winners, including director Meanouche Alia’s 1001 Frames, which won the festival’s Grand Chameleon Award.
This year’s 10-day edition brought together international independent films across narrative, documentary, animation, experimental and short categories.
“1001 Frames” was also selected by the jury for Best Narrative Feature. Celtic Utopia, directed by Dennis Harvey and Lars Löfven, won the documentary feature award. In the short film category, Jacob Vaughn’s “Rodrigo” won Best Narrative Short, Anh Huong Le’s “Song of the Sea” won Best Documentary Short, Matea Radic’s “Paradise” won Best Animation, and Juana Orbegoso Forero’s “The Empty House” won Best Experiment.
“This year’s winners represent our continued commitment to recognizing independent work during challenging times for the industry,” said Brooklyn Film Festival Executive Director Brandon Harrison. “As we close the 29th Brooklyn Film Festival and enter its 30th anniversary, it is especially meaningful to celebrate with the artists and partners whose work reflects the spirit of the filmmaker development festival we are building here in Brooklyn.
Anthony “Mo” Hassan to co-star with Terrence Howard and Kate Bosworth in “Broken Ones”
Anthony “Mo” Hassan has joined the cast of the feature film “Broken Ones,” starring Terrence Howard and Kate Bosworth.
Hasan will play Rourke, a “ruthless and calculating corporate enforcer” who works under Kathleen Sloan (Bosworth). Described as “dignified and unfazed by pressure,” Rourke specializes in high-stakes corporate damage control and aggressively protects his clients’ interests, finding himself at the center of a pivotal conflict with the film’s protagonist, Joseph (Howard).
“Broken Ones” is directed by Timothy Gagliardo, and the logline reads, “When a high-tech company’s self-driving SUV causes a tragic accident involving a local pregnant woman, a ruthless corporate fixer moves quickly to quell the aftermath. Unwilling to allow the victim to be exploited, Joseph steps up to protect his community, and a high-stakes legal battle against a powerful corporate organization begins.”
The film is currently being filmed in Kansas City and will mark Hasan’s feature film acting debut. Hasan currently serves as a football commentator on nationally broadcast broadcasts on NBC and NFL Network.
Ólafur Dali Ólafsson to star in AI-centric feature-length thriller ‘Cicadas’
‘Severance’ star Ólafur Dali Ólafsson will voice the central AI character Echo in the new thriller ‘Cicadas’.
Written by Brad Courtemanche in his directorial debut, “Cicadas” follows two documentary filmmakers who develop a powerful investigative AI to uncover a series of murders hidden throughout Central Florida. As the technology outgrows its original purpose, the pair must decide whether to hand it over to the authorities or continue using it in their own pursuit of truth.
“This film couldn’t be more timely, and I’m looking forward to seeing the general reaction, whether it’s disgust or welcome, because this is the world we’re heading into, and one that, if used correctly, can revolutionize the way we look at life. That being said, this film was originally born out of fear, then blossomed, and landed in a place of mutual understanding. If audiences can come to a similar place, I think my job is done,” Courtemanche said in a statement.
“Cicadas” was filmed in Micanopy, Florida and produced by GrizzlieBradFilms LLC and Wasabi Media Group.
Monday June 8th
Academy adds 15 partners to Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting program. Possible to post through blacklist
The Academy has added 15 partners to its 2026-2027 Screenwriter Nichol Fellowship Program, including the University of Southern California, the Writers Lab, and the Austin Film Festival. A total of 55 partners currently support the program.
Applications for fellowships through The Black List will be accepted from now until July 6, or when 2,500 applications are received. Public submissions through the Writers Guild Foundation will be accepted from June 22 to July 20, or when 2,000 applications are received.
“Following the incredible success of last year’s Nicholl Fellowship, the Academy is excited to continue expanding this global program through partners around the world as we deepen our efforts to discover and support emerging playwrights,” Kim Taylor-Coleman, Academy Governor and Academy Foundation Board Chair, said in a statement.
All scripts will be read by Academy members, and five writers will ultimately be selected for the Fellowship. They will receive direct mentorship from Academy members, receive networking opportunities, and be invited to participate in pitch workshops and meet-and-greets.
See the complete list of partners for 2026-2027 below.
Blacklist (Public Partner)
Writers Guild Foundation (open recruitment partner)
austin film festival
Australian Film Television and Radio School
Berlin International Film Festival
brooklyn college
California College of the Arts
California State University Los Angeles
California State University Northridge
cape
carnegie mellon university
columbia university chicago
columbia university
depaul university
dillard university
Edinburgh Napier University
emerson college
gold house
harvard wood
Hollywood Arab Film Festival
howard university
IFFR Pro
International Sami Film Association
latin film association
london film school
Loyola Marymount University
morehouse college
Mount Saint Mary’s University
national film and television school
new york film academy
new york university
northwestern university
Savannah College of Art and Design
Script structure
spellman college
stony brook university
Storyhouse Dublin Screenplay Festival
sundance institute
toronto international film festival
Toronto Metropolitan University
Del Cine University
University of the Arts London
University of California Los Angeles
University of California, Riverside
University of Cape Town
University of Manchester
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
oxford university
University of Southern California
University of Texas at Austin
University of Utah
urban world festival
Victoria University of Wellington
wesleyan university
Writer’s Lab
