Focus Features Acquires International Distribution Rights To Waves From A24

Focus Features and Universal Pictures International have acquired the international rights to Waves from acclaimed director Trey Edward Shults, and A24. Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss. Waves is a heartrending story about the universal capacity for compassion and growth even in the darkest of times.

This marks another collaboration from Focus and A24, having similarly teamed up on Greta Gerwig’s Academy Award® nominated Lady Bird, which like Waves, had an acclaimed Telluride debut and went on to its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Waves will screen next week.

Waves is written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, produced by Jim Wilson and Kevin Turen, and stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (It Comes At Night, All Rise), Lucas Hedges (Manchester By The Sea, Lady Bird, Three Billboards), Taylor Russel (Lost in Space), Alexa Demie (Mid90s, Euphoria), Neal Huff (Spotlight, Moonrise Kingdom, Split), Clifton Collins Jr. (Star Trek, Capote), Renée Elise Goldsberry (One Life to Live, Sisters) and Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther, This is Us). Focus Features acquired and Universal Pictures International will distribute the film worldwide excluding Canada, China and Japan, and A24 will release domestically on November 1, 2019.

About Focus Features

Focus Features acquires and produces specialty films for the global market and holds a library of iconic movies, with 127 Academy Award Nominations and 25 wins from fearless filmmakers. Upcoming releases from Focus include Harriet, about the legendary freedom fighter Harriet Tubman starring Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom Jr. and directed by Kasi Lemmons; Working Title and Blueprint Picture’s new adaptation of Emma starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn; the Kevin Costner and Diane Lane led Let Him Go; Jon Stewart’s Irresistible starring Steve Carell, Rose Byrne, and Chris Coopers; Dark Waters with Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway from Participant Media; Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller Last Night in Soho from Working Title; the female-led Never Rarely Sometimes Always, from acclaimed writer/director Eliza Hittman, Promising Young Woman produced by LuckyChap Entertainment; the music industry set Covers starring Dakota Johnson and Tracee Elliss Ross; heartfelt comedy Half Brothers from director Luke Greenfield; and the anticipated Downton Abbey movie starring the entire original cast. Universal Pictures International has led distribution in select markets for titles including The Dead Don’t Die; Harriet; Downton Abbey; Emma; Let Him Go; Irresistible; and Last Night in Soho.

Focus is part of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG), which produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. UFEG’s global division also includes Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango, DreamWorks Animation Film and Television. UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb