EXCLUSIVE: Utopia‘s arthouse distribution label, Circle Collective, has acquired U.S. rights to Pools, a coming-of-age film, starring Odessa A’zion (A24’s upcoming Marty Supreme), which marks the feature debut of writer-director Sam Hayes.
After taking home the Audience Award in its world premiere at SXSW Sydney 2024, and going on to sell out its North American premiere at TIFF Next Wave, the film has been set to open at the Music Box in Chicago on August 22nd, followed by the Quad Cinema in New York and the NuArt in Los Angeles on August 29th. A nationwide expansion will follow on September 5th.
Pools dives into the chaotic life of Kennedy (A’zion), a rebellious college student who has one day to get her life together or face expulsion. Rather than conform, she recruits a misfit crew for a spontaneous night of pool hopping through the lavish backyards of her college town. What starts as an adrenaline-fueled escape turns into something deeper as Kennedy confronts grief, identity, and the lingering impact of her father’s death.
Pools‘ cast also includes Mason Gooding (Heart Eyes), Ariel Winter (Modern Family), Tyler Alvarez (Never Have I Ever), Michael Vlamis (Crossword), Francesca Noel (Goosebumps) and Suzanne Cryer (Silicon Valley). Jack Heston, Hayes, Mike Ware, Adonis Tountas and Seth Savoy produced alongside EPs including Will Pritzker, Sam Barnett, Lindsay Barnett, Ahbra Perry, Michael Vlamis, and A’zion.
In a statement on the acquisition, Utopia’s Kyle Greenberg said, “We’re thrilled to welcome POOLS into the Circle Collective family. Sam Hayes has crafted a bold, emotionally rich debut that captures the chaos, humor, and heartbreak of growing up. It’s exactly the kind of visionary storytelling we champion and can’t wait to bring it to audiences across the country.”
Said Hayes, “We have some big fun release plans for Pools, and I’m incredibly grateful to the team at Circle Collective for believing in this story and championing it in a way that feels true to its spirit.”
