The Future of Film is Female will release Sunfish (& Other Stories On Green Lake), the feature debut of writer-director Sierra Falconer, on September 12 at the IFC Center in New York with a national expansion to follow.
A wistful, slice of life anthology, which premiered at Sundance to strong reviews, follows intertwined lives around Green Lake in Michigan.
The film, executive produced by acclaimed director Joanna Hogg (The Souvenir), is the second distribution partnership for The Future of Film is Female after The Graduates by Hannah Peterson in 2024. The NYC-based nonprofit founded by Caryn Coleman is dedicated to releasing independent films directed by women and nonbinary filmmakers with a tailored release plan for each project.
Coleman will handle the U.S. theatrical release. Giant Pictures will oversee the U.S. digital, set for late fall. Vortex Media has all rights in Canada to the film staring Maren Heary (She Said), Jim Kaplan (The Holdovers), Karsen Liotta (Black Bird), Dominic Bogart (Fear The Walking Dead), Emily Hall (Wrong Numbers) and Tenley Kellogg.
Producers are Falconer and Grant Ellison.
Sunfish (& Other Stories On Green Lake) follows intertwined lives around Green Lake. A girl, Lu (Maren Heary) learns to sail; a boy, Jun (Jim Kaplan) fights for first chair; two sisters, Blue Jay (Tenley Kellogg) and Robin (Emily Hall) operate a bed and breakfast; and a fisherman, Finn (Dominic Bogart), is after the catch of his life.
The Future of Film is Female (FOFIF) spotlighted Falconer’s short The Octopus at its ongoing screening program with partner Vidiots in LA.
“Being able to support truly independent films, like Sierra Falconer’s stellar debut feature Sunfish (& Other Stories In Green Lake) is exactly why we started a distribution branch at The Future of Film is Female. Sunfish is a thoughtful, beautiful amalgam of four stories taking place simultaneously over one summer in Michigan; each monumental in their own way. We’re so grateful to be on this journey with Sierra, getting Sunfish in front of audiences and out into the world,” said Coleman.
“I am thrilled and grateful to be working with Caryn and The Future of Film is Female to bring Sunfish to theatrical audiences,” said Falconer. “Their mission and commitment to supporting and uplifting female filmmakers deeply resonates with me, and I couldn’t imagine a better home for my first film.”
The deal was negotiated by Coleman with WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.