Cannes Market Dailies

Cannes, France, (May 14, 2024)PMG is proud to return to the Croisette with two projects (well, three) for 2024 : new foreign sales entity The Forge and the proof-of concept short film The Soul Trader. Together, the group has FOUR screenings scheduled we welcome qualified media coverage to.

Here we go!

New bespoke distributor and international sales agency The Forge, headed by longtime producer and Vashon Island Film Festival director Mark Mathias Sayre, is headed to Cannes to take part in its first MIF on the Croisette. The Forge debuts at the Cannes market not only to sell, but also to acquire new properties for domestic distribution.

Since its founding was announced last October, The Forge has assembled a robust slate. Domestically, The Forge released Brett Smith’s directorial debut and Civil War-epic FREEDOM’S PATH in North America and organized a theatrical roadshow for Matthew Mishory’s award-winning, groundbreaking documentary FIORETTA before its debut on VOD from Gravitas. The Forge also has Jordan Albertsen’s BOOM: A Film About the Sonics, lined up for a twenty-plus market US theatrical release this fall. In addition to its domestic distribution operations, The Forge also handles international sales for most of its slate.

At the Marché, The Forge will also be opening international rights for sale to the newly available aforementioned films FREEDOM’S PATH, Brett Smith’s award-winning gritty Civil War drama starring Gerran Howell, RJ Cyler, and Ewen Bremner; BOOM, the highly-anticipated feature documentary chronicling one of rock ‘n’ roll’s wildest and most influential bands; FIORETTA, the story of lawyer/philanthropist Randy Schoenberg’s (the subject of WOMAN IN GOLD) exhaustive, atmospheric search for his oldest recorded ancestor; as well as Ben Epstein’s instant cult indie classic BUCK ALAMO (or A PHANTASMAGORICAL BALLAD), a dreamlike portrait of a modern day musical outlaw as he duels with Death (who is voiced by Bruce Dern).

Their slate also includes Nick Richey’s directorial debut LOW, LOW and his follow up 1-800-HOT-NITE (which played Deauville to crazy acclaim in 2022); Katherine Dudas’ JUNIPER; Brad Helmink and John Rauschelbach’s creepy suicide pact thriller WE STILL SAY GRACE; Dave Matalon’s zombie apocalypse family survival drama THE CLEARING; and Will McFadden’s truth-inspired DOUBTING THOMAS, a dramatic examination of racism in America. Sayre served as producer on five of these films.

Attending Cannes are CEO Sayre, actor/producer and CMO Steven Swadling (KICKBOXER), and Acquisitions Coordinator Decker Sadowski (JUNIPER, the upcoming THEATER IS DEAD). Media: The Forge has screenings set up for BOOM: A FILM ABOUT THE SONICS (May 17, 2pm CET, Palais I, FIORETTA (May 18, 9am CET, Palais J), and FREEDOM'S PATH (May 19, 9am CET, Palais J).

Can't make it? Advance screeners of market titles available to media on request to PMG.

NEXT, after the jump!

Founder/CEO Mark Sayre

Acquisitions Coordinator Decker Sadowski

CMO Steve Swadling

Shane West, Donna Mills, and Newcomer Shauna Grace Star in Susan Dynner’s New Supernatural Thriller The Soul Trader
Screening and Reception at The American Pavilion in Cannes May 18

The Soul Trader is a twelve-minute short directed by Susan Dynner (Brick, Punk’s Not Dead, Code Blue: A Love Story) and starring Shane West (A Walk to Remember, ER, The Dirty South), Donna Mills (Knots Landing, Nope, Origin), and newcomer Shauna Grace. The film will screen at The American Pavilion during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, May 18 at 1530h (3:30PM) CEST, followed by a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception at the American Pavilion Terrace. Media RSVP is required, strictly limited to working press, and subject to capacity.

The Soul Trader is directed and produced by Dynner, written by newcomer Mike Underwood, photographed by Matthias Schubert (The Door Man, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Shelter in Solitude), produced by Lauren Bancroft (The Making of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, Wild Bitch, Bite Size Halloween), edited by David Hopper (God Bless America, In Between Songs, Rust Creek), and executive produced by Shauna Grace, with music composed by Jeff Russo (Fargo, Ripley, Star Trek: Discovery). The film has been produced by Dynner’s Los Angeles-based production company Aberration Films as both festival fare as well as proof of concept for a feature or TV series.

The Soul Trader follows the story of Coral Chase (Shauna Grace), an occult hitwoman who has the power to steal life-extending souls, which she then sells to vain, wealthy elites like Erica Claessen (Donna Mills), who clings to the crumbs of youth. She’s flanked by stoic bodyguard Damien (Shane West), who ultimately emerges from the shadows as her rival when she’s about to carry out a money-spinning hit at a target’s home and realizes she’s not the only one with murder in mind.

Dynner says, “The Soul Trader introduces a new breed of complex heroine to our screens. On one hand, she’s a devoted single mom trying to make ends meet for her ten-year-old son. On the other, she’s a cold, contract killer with occult powers and now rivals want to learn her secrets. It’s a sexy and provocative short with a killer twist, but I think this is only the beginning. Our short is a proof of concept for something much bigger and we can’t wait to let Coral loose on the world. We were so lucky to pull together an incredibly talented team of actors and crew who brought so much to the shoot and the production.”

West adds, “Working on The Soul Trader was great fun. It’s good to flex your Machiavellian muscles every now and again and I got to do that playing Damien. It’s a short that packs a big punch and has huge potential.” Press materials are available here and at www.thesoultrader.com.

Can't make it? Advance screeners of market titles available to media on request to PMG.

This year’s jury awards will be selected by actress and filmmaker Melora Walters and VIFF alumni Nick Richey (1-800-Hot-Nite, VIFF22), Olivia Kuan (The Herricanes, VIFF23), Paris Zarcilla (Raging Grace, VIFF23), and Decker Sadowski (Juniper, VIFF22). Last year’s top prizes went to Charlotte Regan’s Scrapper (Quartermaster Award for Excellence in Feature Filmmaking), Lloyd Lee Choi’s Closing Dynasty (Burton Award for Excellence in Short Filmmaking), Jordan Albertsen’s BOOM: A Film About the Sonics (Audience Award for Best Feature), and Sarah Hanner’s Bläckfisk (Audience Award for Best Short).

Ticketing is now open to the public here, with three discounted ticketing tiers available for early-bird purchase: a three-film package (10% off), a six-film package (15% off), and a ten plus-film package (20% off). Single screening tickets are also available for purchase at regular price. Ticketing is subject to availability.