Full Breakdown
‘My Notes on Mars’ Secures Wide Pre-Sales Ahead of Cannes Film Market
5/13/2026, 8:22:22 AM
Plot Synopsis
“My Notes on Mars” follows Margot, a scientist whose marriage to Sam is strained. While hiking together, Margot disappears and is presumed dead. Weeks later she returns on the day of her own memorial service, with no memory of her life except for her research on Mars, which she is determined to locate and destroy. Sam, confronting the mystery, accepts her return as a chance to rebuild their relationship.
Production Background and Creative Team
The film marks Hungarian director Lili Horvát’s first English-language feature. Horvát previously earned international recognition for “Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time,” which screened at Venice and Toronto in 2020, received an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and served as Hungary’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature. Her debut, “The Wednesday Child,” won a prize at Karlovy Vary. Horvát co-produces with Dóra Csernátony under the Poste Restante banner, alongside Oscar-nominee Emilie Georges, Naima Abed, Anne Carey, Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu, Bady Minck, Mirsad Purivatra, Jovan Marjanovic, Maja Kecojevic, Janine Jackowski, Jonas Dornbach, Maren Ade, and Evan Moore. Cinematographer Róbert Maly reunites with Horvát after their collaboration on “Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time.” Principal photography took place in Budapest, the Hungarian countryside, and Salzburg, Austria. The film stars Mackenzie Davis as Margot and Rupert Friend as Sam.
Territorial Pre-Sales and Distribution Partners
Ahead of the Cannes Film Market kickoff, “My Notes on Mars” has secured pre-sales in multiple territories. In Germany, distribution is handled by Plaion; Austria by Filmladen; Spain by Filmin; the Benelux region by September; Portugal by Nos Lusomundo; Greece by Cinobo; Australia and New Zealand by Rialto; airline distribution by Anuvu; Hungary by Mozinet; and the former Yugoslav region by Art Servis. Paradise City Sales represents the film internationally, while UTA Independent Film Group manages North-American rights.
Institutional Funding and Support
The production received financial backing from the National Film Institute of Hungary, the Austrian Film Institute, TRT Cinema, and the Film Centre of Montenegro. Co-production partners include ZDF/Arte and the Fondacija za kinematografiju. These contributions underscore a pan-European investment in the project.
Official Statements & Responses
Representatives for the principal talent confirm agency affiliations: Mackenzie Davis is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Rupert Friend is represented by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and HJTH; Lili Horvát is represented by UTA. The sales teams have highlighted the film’s blend of romance and science-fiction as a marketable element for international buyers.
What’s Next: Cannes Film Market
Pre-sales were secured ahead of the Cannes Film Market kickoff.
