French filmmaker Bruno Dumont’s coming-of-age drama Red Rocks has been acquired by KimStim for a theatrical release in North America in 2027, according to reporting by Variety. The film world premiered earlier this year in the Directors’ Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Bruno Dumont’s Cannes Title ‘Red Rocks’ Secured for North American Release
Set against the coastline of the Mediterranean, Red Rocks follows two rival groups of children spending their summer competing in a game of cliff jumping. The narrative centers on Géo, a five-year-old boy experiencing friendship, rivalry, and early romance. Dumont cast non-professional young actors for the production, utilizing a documentary-like approach to capture youthful spontaneity on the French Riviera.
Festival Run and International Sales
Following its debut at Cannes, Red Rocks secured selections at several international film events. According to festival programmers and distribution announcements, the picture screened at Poland’s New Horizons International Film Festival and earned spots in the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera section of the San Sebastián Film Festival and the Currents program at the New York Film Festival.
Luxbox handles worldwide sales for the project. Jean-Benoit Henry, head of international sales at Luxbox, negotiated the North American distribution deal with KimStim co-president Ian Stimler. Luxbox has also closed international sales with Les Films du Losange for France, Nitrato for Portugal, DDDream for China, Twin for Japan, PT Falcon for Indonesia, Ama Films for Greece, MegaCom for the former Yugoslavia, and Film Europe for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Production Background and Prior Work
KimStim co-president Ian Stimler described Dumont’s observational direction as providing a natural charm and documentary immediacy. The film stars Kaylon Lancel, Kelsie Verdeilles, Louise Podolski, Mohamed Coly, Alessandro Piquera, and Meryl Pires.
Red Rocks serves as the follow-up project to Dumont’s The Empire. Over a career spanning multiple decades, Dumont’s credits include The Life of Jesus, Humanity, Flanders, Camille Claudel 1915, Li’l Quinquin, Slack Bay, and France. Both Humanity and Flanders received the Grand Prix at Cannes, while The Empire earned the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
Joaquim Sapinho, Marta Alves, and Fiorella Moretti produced Red Rocks through Rosa Filmes. Co-producing entities include Luxbox, Nightswim, Andergraun Films, Tessalit Productions, Pulpa Films, Sula Films, and Denapa. Following its 2027 theatrical launch in North America, KimStim plans to roll out the film across digital and home entertainment platforms.