Janus Films Lands U.S. Rights to ‘Blue Heron’ Drama

Janus Films, a prominent name in the distribution of world cinema, has officially secured the U.S. distribution rights for Sophy Romvari’s critically acclaimed debut feature, “Blue Heron.” This significant acquisition marks another compelling addition to Janus Films’ distinguished catalog and sets the stage for the film’s highly anticipated theatrical release in 2026.

About ‘Blue Heron’

“Blue Heron” is a Canadian-Hungarian drama that delves into themes of memory, family dynamics, and the complexities of coming-of-age. The narrative centers on eight-year-old Sasha, portrayed by Eylul Guven, as her Hungarian immigrant family embarks on a new life on Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. Their aspiration for a fresh start is soon challenged when Sasha’s older brother, Jeremy, played by Edik Beddoes, begins to exhibit increasingly antisocial and concerning behavioral issues within their new home. The film also features Amy Zimmer as the adult Sasha, who, in later sequences, attempts to reconcile with and understand her difficult past.

Romvari, who also penned the script, masterfully weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between fiction and documentary, drawing on her own childhood experiences and a profound exploration of the fallibility of memory. The cast further includes Iringó Réti, Ádám Tompa, Liam Serg, and Preston Drabble.

Sophy Romvari’s Vision and Acclaim

“Blue Heron” serves as the feature-length directorial debut for Sophy Romvari, a Canadian-Hungarian filmmaker renowned for her critically celebrated short films. Her previous works, including “Still Processing,” which premiered at TIFF and was later featured on the Criterion Channel, have established her as a distinctive voice in contemporary cinema. Romvari’s artistic lineage is notable, being the granddaughter of esteemed Hungarian production designer and art director József Romvári.

The film has garnered universal acclaim, holding a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 critic reviews and a score of 96 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating “universal acclaim” from seven critics. Critics have lauded “Blue Heron” for its “formally inventive and emotionally impactful” storytelling, recognizing it as a poignant meditation on grief, memory, and love.

Festival Recognition and Awards

Prior to its acquisition by Janus Films, “Blue Heron” made a significant impact on the international film festival circuit. Its world premiere took place in competition at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on August 8, 2025, where it was honored with both the Swatch First Feature Award and the Junior Jury Award (Special Mention). Following this success, the film had its North American premiere in September at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it received the coveted Best Canadian Discovery award. The film has also been featured at numerous other festivals, including the Forest City Film Festival, Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Chicago International Film Festival, San Sebastián International Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, and the New Hampshire Film Festival.

The Partnership with Janus Films

Janus Films’ acquisition of “Blue Heron” underscores the distributor’s enduring commitment to bringing exceptional independent and international cinema to U.S. audiences. Since its founding in 1956, Janus Films has been instrumental in introducing masterpieces of world cinema from legendary directors like Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, and Akira Kurosawa to American viewers, often in close collaboration with its sister company, The Criterion Collection. Sophy Romvari expressed her immense honor at having her debut feature join such a prestigious legacy, particularly appreciating the company’s dedication to celebrating cinema and preserving the theatrical experience.

Production Background

“Blue Heron” is a testament to international collaboration, produced by Nine Behind Productions from Canada and Boddah from Hungary. Additional production associations include Memory, Simbelle Productions, Tinygiant, and Ursa Major. The film received vital funding support from both Telefilm Canada and the National Film Institute Hungary, highlighting the robust support for cinematic arts in both countries. International sales for “Blue Heron” are managed by MoreThan Films.

Key production credits include Sophy Romvari, Ryan Bobkin, Sara Wylie, and Gábor Osváth as producers, with Riel Roch-Decter, Lauren Melinda, Neil Champagne, Veronica Diaferia, Sara Eolin, Jasmin Karibzhanova, Sam Sutcliffe, and Leah CL serving as executive producers. The film’s striking visual aesthetic is attributed to cinematographer Maya Bankovic, with the intricate editing by Kurt Walker and sound design by Péter Benjámin Lukács.

Conclusion

The acquisition of U.S. rights to “Blue Heron” by Janus Films marks a significant moment for Sophy Romvari’s compelling debut. With its powerful narrative, critical acclaim, and the backing of a distributor known for championing cinematic excellence, “Blue Heron” is poised to reach a wide American audience, solidifying its place as an important work in contemporary independent cinema upon its 2026 release.