In a significant acquisition move, the up-and-coming film distribution company, Neon, has announced its purchase of the worldwide rights to ‘Shelby Oaks,’ the highly anticipated debut feature film by filmmaker and renowned YouTube film critic Chris Stuckmann. This strategic acquisition follows closely behind Neon’s recent success with Osgood Perkins’ horror film, ‘Longlegs,’ solidifying the company’s growing footprint in the horror genre.
‘Shelby Oaks,’ which blends documentary-style filmmaking with found footage, is poised to have its world premiere at the prestigious Fantasia Festival this coming Saturday. In addition to managing its theatrical release in the United States, Neon will also handle international sales, ensuring a broad reach for the film.
The film boasts a talented cast, including Camille Sullivan, known for her role in ‘Hunter Hunter’; Brendan Sexton III, recognized for ‘Don’t Breathe 2’; and Sarah Durn, from ‘Where the Crawdads Sing.’ The narrative follows the harrowing journey of Mia, portrayed by Sullivan, as she searches for her missing sister Riley, played by Durn. Riley disappears under mysterious circumstances while recording the final episode of her investigative series, ‘Paranormal Paranoids.’ This project has already garnered significant traction and financial backing, evidenced by its record-breaking Kickstarter campaign in 2022, which raised $1.4 million—making it the most-funded horror film on the crowdfunding platform.
‘SHELBY OAKS. A new horror from director Chris Stuckmann and executive producer Mike Flanagan. Coming soon.’ This tagline has already generated considerable buzz on social media, further fueling anticipation for the film’s release.
Chris Stuckmann, who has amassed a dedicated following on YouTube for his insightful critiques of movies, video games, anime, and TV series, directed and penned ‘Shelby Oaks.’ Stuckmann’s influence in the online film critic community is substantial, and his transition from critic to filmmaker has been watched closely by both fans and industry insiders. His previous work includes publications such as ‘The Film Buff’s Bucket List: The 50 Movies of the 2000s to See Before You Die,’ underscoring his credibility and passion for the cinematic arts.
The production of ‘Shelby Oaks’ was undertaken by Paper Street Pictures, with Aaron B.
. Koontz, Ashleigh Snead, and Cameron Burns producing. The film also features a notable lineup of executive producers including Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka from Intrepid Pictures, Mike Flanagan, a veteran of the horror genre, alongside Adam F. Goldberg, Paul Holbrook, Sean E. DeMott, and Tony Killough.
The deal to secure ‘Shelby Oaks’ was brokered by Jason Wald, Neon’s Vice President of Acquisitions and Production, in collaboration with Aaron B. Koontz, CEO of Paper Street Pictures, who represented the filmmakers. This partnership is another milestone for Neon, a company that continues to make waves within the independent film circuit.
In alignment with their strategic aim to diversify their portfolio, Neon has also recently obtained rights to several other noteworthy films. These include North American rights to Mohammad Rasoulof’s ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig,’ U.S. rights to Osgood Perkins’ ‘The Monkey and Keeper,’ as well as North American rights to Julia Ducournau’s ‘Alpha’ and ‘The Unknown’ directed by Arthur Harari. Additionally, Neon celebrated a major triumph with the acquisition of Sean Baker’s ‘Anora,’ which secured the Palme d’Or at Cannes, marking the distributor’s fifth consecutive Palme d’Or win at the prestigious festival.
Neon’s calculated moves and strategic acquisitions are quickly establishing the company as a formidable presence in the film distribution arena, particularly within the horror genre. With ‘Shelby Oaks’ on the horizon, film enthusiasts and critics alike are eagerly awaiting to see how Chris Stuckmann’s first foray into feature filmmaking will unfold, hoping it will live up to the significant anticipation and high expectations.
As the world premiere date approaches, excitement continues to build for ‘Shelby Oaks.’ The film’s innovative approach, compelling storyline, and the backing of a strong distribution partner in Neon signal a promising debut for Chris Stuckmann as a filmmaker. The horror community and beyond will be keeping a close eye on this release, which promises to be a significant addition to the genre.
