#Dark Sky Buys Political Slasher ‘Founders Day’ for North America (Exclusive)

Blue Finch Films has locked the North American sale for the Bloomquist brothers’ political slasher Founders Day after the American Film Festival that ran earlier this month. The film has been acquired by Dark Sky Films and will be theatrically released in the first-quarter of 2024. The deal was negotiated by Mike Chapman on behalf of Blue Finch Films and Giles Edwards, head of development and acquisitions for Dark Sky. 

After screenings at Popcorn Frights and FrightFest, the film has enjoyed a strong festival run including screenings at San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film Festival and most recently an award winning screening at Toronto After Dark.

Founders Day is a contemporary murder-mystery set in a small town that is stricken by ominous killings on the eve of its tricentennial celebration and impending mayoral election. 

The latest feature from fraternal writing-director duo Erik & Carson Bloomquist and production outfit Mainframe Pictures boasts an ensemble cast including the reunion of 13 Reasons Why stars Devin Druid and Amy Hargreaves, plus Naomi Grace (NCIS), Catherine Curtin (Stranger Things), Emilia McCarthy (SkyMed), Olivia Nikkanen (The Society) and William Russ (Boy Meets World).

“We’re very happy to be partnering with the team at Dark Sky who know and love the power of genre cinema like we do,” said the Bloomquist brothers. “As the chaos of modern politics rages, The Founder is primed and ready to be unleashed on American audiences.” 

“The Bloomquist brothers have crafted a film that brilliantly captures the true talent of this stellar cast. We look forward to releasing this film to North American audiences,”  said Edwards of Dark Sky.

Blue Finch’s international slate includes SXSW 2023 narrative competition winner Raging Grace, Tribeca selection You’ll Never Find Me and horror film Last Straw, which screened at Sitges and Beyond Fest earlier this month.