Fragrant Nature Film Creations has secured exclusive distribution rights for Josephine across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives, marking the company’s first Hollywood acquisition. The deal was closed during the European Film Market at the Berlin Film Festival, with FNFC planning a theatrical release in the region after the film completes its U.S. domestic window.
Directed by Beth de Araújo, Josephine stars Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, who also serve as producers. The film centers on an eight-year-old girl, played by newcomer Mason Reeves, who witnesses a violent crime while on an early morning jog with her father. The story follows the emotional fallout as her family struggles with trauma and the American legal system, gradually attempting to rebuild their lives.
The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. It later had its European premiere in competition at the Berlinale. In the United States, the film was picked up by Sumerian Pictures in a seven-figure deal.
Variety described Josephine as one of Sundance’s most striking titles, highlighting both its bold subject matter and the maturity of its execution. The review noted the film’s focus on a child forced to confront adult realities, with Mason Reeves’ performance singled out for its vulnerability.
For Fragrant Nature Film Creations, the acquisition builds on a growing international slate. The Kochi-based company previously acquired the 2025 French animated feature Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, which later received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. The studio originally established its profile with Blessy’s 2011 Malayalam romantic drama Pranayam, starring Mohanlal.
FNFC managing director and producer Anne Sajeev said the company was drawn to Josephine because of its emotional honesty and universal themes of vulnerability, resilience and hope. She described the acquisition as an important milestone and said the company aims to bring meaningful global stories to audiences across the region while building long-term creative partnerships.
The transaction was negotiated on FNFC’s side by head of film acquisitions Riya Rajiv and sales and acquisitions coordinator Sidharth S. Nair, while Flavien Eripret of French sales company Goodfellas represented the seller. FNFC plans to showcase Josephine at major Indian film festivals before the wider rollout.
The company is also in post-production on Half, a Malayalam-language vampire-action film starring Ranjith Sajeev, Aiswarya Raj and Amala Paul. A distribution announcement for that project is expected soon.
