“Josephine” Trailer Drops as Sundance-Award Winner Prepares for Awards-Season Release

The drama follows eight-year-old Josephine (Mason Reeves) after she accidentally witnesses a violent crime in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The trauma triggers violent outbursts and forces her parents—Damien (Channing Tatum) and Claire (Gemma Chan)—to grapple with how to protect and support their daughter.

Channing Tatum And Gemma Chan’s Josephine Teaser Reveals A Powerful Family Struggle

Sumerian Pictures has scheduled a limited theatrical release for November 20, 2026, with a nationwide expansion planned for December 4.

Deadline Hollywood

Writer-director Beth de Araújo frames the story as autobiographical fiction drawn from her own childhood experiences. After the success of her debut feature “Soft & Quiet” (2022), de Araújo’s sophomore film entered the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it captured both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the dramatic competition—an achievement last seen by “CODA” and “Minari.”

Variety Magazine

Following its Sundance triumph, Sumerian Pictures acquired U.S. rights in February for a mid-seven-figure sum, describing itself as an “artists-led independent creative studio.” The film subsequently screened in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival and is slated to continue its festival circuit at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Variety Magazine

• Awards: Grand Jury Prize (U.S. Dramatic) and Audience Award (U.S. Dramatic) at Sundance 2026.

Deadline Hollywood

• Acquisition cost: Mid-seven-figure deal by Sumerian Pictures (February 2026).

Variety Magazine

• Critical reception: 97 % rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 89 reviews.

Channing Tatum And Gemma Chan’s Josephine Teaser Reveals A Powerful Family Struggle

• Release schedule: Limited release Nov 20 2026; nationwide expansion Dec 4 2026.

Deadline Hollywood

• Cast & crew: Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, Mason Reeves (lead), Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy, Eleanore Pienta; producers include de Araújo, Tatum, Chan, David Kaplan, Josh Peters, Marina Stabile, Mark H. Rapaport, Crystine Zhang; executive producers Emanuel Nuñez and Jordan Rapaport.

The Hindu

Sumerian Pictures announced that the limited release on November 20 is intended to position the film for awards-season consideration, with a broader rollout on December 4 to reach a wider audience.

Variety Magazine

Beth de Araújo has described the project as a “work of autobiographical fiction” that seeks to portray the psychological fallout of witnessing violence without resorting to sensationalism.

IndieWire

• “Josephine, you can look just at me,” — Eleanore Pienta

People Magazine

After its Toronto International Film Festival appearance next month, “Josephine” will embark on an awards-season campaign led by Sumerian Pictures. The film’s dual Sundance honors place it among a select group of recent titles that have gone on to receive Academy Award nominations, suggesting potential further recognition during the upcoming awards cycle.

Variety Magazine