Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan Film ‘Josephine’ Acquired for Indian Subcontinent
10 reported
Fragrant Nature Film Creations has acquired exclusive distribution rights to the film “Josephine” for the Indian subcontinent, covering India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. The film, directed by Beth de Araújo and starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, who also serve as producers, follows an eight-year-old girl played by newcomer Mason Reeves who witnesses a violent crime while jogging with her father. The story tracks the family’s fracturing and slow reconstitution as the parents navigate trauma and the American legal system. “Josephine” premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award U.S. Dramatic. The film also had its European premiere in competition at the Berlinale. In the U.S., Sumerian Pictures acquired the film for a seven-figure sum. The deal for Fragrant Nature Film Creations is the company’s first Hollywood acquisition.
What’s reported
Fragrant Nature Film Creations acquired exclusive distribution rights to “Josephine” for the Indian subcontinent, covering India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.
The film is directed by Beth de Araújo and stars Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, who also serve as producers.
The story follows an eight-year-old girl, played by newcomer Mason Reeves, who witnesses a violent crime while jogging with her father.
The film won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award U.S. Dramatic at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
It also had its European premiere in competition at the Berlinale.
In the U.S., Sumerian Pictures acquired the film for a seven-figure sum.
The deal was closed during the European Film Market at the Berlin Film Festival.
The transaction was negotiated by Riya Rajiv and Sidharth S. Nair for FNFC, and by Flavien Eripret of Goodfellas for the seller.
FNFC managing director and producer Anne Sajeev stated the film resonated due to its emotional honesty and universal themes.
FNFC plans a theatrical release across the seven territories after the U.S. domestic window closes, and intends to show the film at major Indian film festivals.
Key figures
Channing Tatum (actor and producer)
Gemma Chan (actress and producer)
Beth de Araújo (director)
Mason Reeves (actor, newcomer)
Anne Sajeev (FNFC managing director and producer)
Riya Rajiv (FNFC head of film acquisitions)
Sidharth S. Nair (FNFC sales and acquisitions coordinator)
Flavien Eripret (Goodfellas sales company)
Sources: Variety
