Strand Releasing Buys Distribution Rights to ‘Sparks,’ a Drama About Time-Travel Obsessed Teens

Exclusive: "Eighth Grade" breakout Elsie Fisher and Charlie B. Foster star in the indie drama, which will open in theaters next spring.

Strand Releasing has acquired North American distribution rights to “Sparks,” the story of movie-loving teens who cook up a time-travel scheme, and will release the film theatrically in spring 2027.

The film was written and directed by Fergus Campbell and produced by Lola Lafia. Golden Globe nominee Elsie Fisher (Bo Burnham’s “Eighth Grade“) stars opposite Jodie Foster’s son Charlie B. Foster, who recently made their TV debut on the Nicole Kidman-starring “Scarpetta.”

The film deals with an urban legend that a Nevada reservoir is a time portal, and the aimless group of teenage best friends who become obsessed with going back in history. Their push takes on a new urgency when Cleo (Fisher) moves to town and becomes hell-bent on reaching 1960s Paris to become Jean-Luc Godard’s muse.

After its world premiere at SXSW in March, “Sparks” played festivals such as Provincetown, Frameline, Outfest, and Melbourne, with Nashville and more slated for the fall. The film also stars Madison Hu, Thomas Deen Baker, Denny McAuliffe, and Simon Downes Toney. It was executive produced by Dominique Bravo and co-produced by Sean Gullette.

“One of the special things about Strand is their history of championing new voices, which is an increasingly rare endeavor,” said Campbell. “I feel lucky and grateful that Sparks — a film that mostly exists to inventory feelings of youth and restlessness and potential — will have a chance to find a wider audience and be remembered for the emotions and memories it stirs up.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Fergus and Lola on ‘Sparks.’ The film feels like a true discovery and one that seems tailor-fit to our library of auteurs; we can’t wait for audiences to see the film and experience this vision,” said Marcus Hu, co-founder of Strand Releasing.

The deal was negotiated by RJ Millard and Katherine Matthews of Obscured Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers and Hu and Jon Gerrans of Strand Releasing.

Strand Releasing’s current slate includes the Mexican Oscar entry, “On the Road” by David Pablos, Gregg Araki’s 4K restoration of “Mysterious Skin,” and Brydie O’Connor’s “Barbara Forever.”