Independent distribution company Persimmon has acquired U.S. and select international distribution rights to the mystery feature Death on the Brandywine. The deal also covers Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. The film stars Kate Burton, Rena Sofer, Tuc Watkins, Jay Huguley, Walt Willey, Shanley Caswell and Guy Nardulli, with Satomi Hofmann playing amateur investigator Professor Millie Park.
Written and directed by Nick Wilkinson and produced by Lisa G. Black and Wilkinson, the film centers on a beloved senator who is discovered dead at his son’s high-profile campaign fundraiser. His daughter becomes convinced the death was not suicide and sets out to uncover what really happened. Wilkinson said he was inspired by Agatha Christie and aimed to combine suspense, emotional depth and dark humor while offering a satirical look at how image, ambition and power intersect in contemporary America.
The film is scheduled to debut in New York on June 24 with a limited theatrical release, followed by a digital rollout on Apple, Amazon and Fandango. Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Segel of Storyboard Media negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, while Mackenzie Maguire represented Persimmon.
In other film news, the 29th Brooklyn Film Festival announced the winners of its 2026 awards, with Mehrnoush Alia’s 1001 Frames taking the Grand Chameleon Award and also being named Best Narrative Feature by the jury. Celtic Utopia won Best Documentary Feature, while short-film honors went to Rodrigo, Sea Song, Paradaïz and The House Left Empty across the narrative, documentary, animation and experimental categories. Festival executive director Brandon Harrison said the winners reflect the festival’s continued support for independent filmmaking.
Separately, Anthony “Mo” Hasan has joined the cast of Broken Ones, starring Terrence Howard and Kate Bosworth. Hasan will play Rourke, a corporate enforcer described as cold, calculated and unflappable under pressure. The film, directed by Timothy Gagliardo, follows the fallout after an autonomous SUV causes a fatal crash and a corporate fixer works to suppress the scandal. Hasan, who is making his feature film acting debut, is currently known for his work as a football color commentator on NBC and NFL Network.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also expanded its 2026-2027 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting program by adding 15 new partners, bringing the total to 55. The new partners include the University of Southern California, The Writers Lab and the Austin Film Festival. Submissions through The Black List are open through July 6 or until 2,500 entries are received, while public submissions through the Writers Guild Foundation open June 22 and run through July 20 or until 2,000 entries are received. Five writers will ultimately be selected for the fellowship, receiving mentorship, networking opportunities and access to pitch workshops and industry meet-and-greets.
