Blue Fox Takes Little Audrey Worldwide Rights
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired international rights to the Audrey Santo drama Little Audrey, ahead of sales talks at AFM.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Film — General
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to Little Audrey excluding US theatrical, and will begin sales talks for the film at AFM next week. The drama, starring Emily VanCamp, Jennifer Esposito, Aidan Quinn and Josh Bowman, is based on the true story of Audrey Santo, a Massachusetts girl left comatose after a near-drowning accident.
Why it matters
The deal positions the film for international distribution ahead of its planned wide release, giving global buyers a title built on a real-life story with a long development history. Details on a US distributor have yet to be announced.
The worldwide rights deal covers all territories except US theatrical, and the film is set to open wide in 2027, marking 40 years since Audrey Santo's accident. Financial terms and the buyer pool for the international sales push have not been disclosed.
The players
Blue Fox Entertainment
Blue Fox Entertainment is an independent film sales and distribution company that acquired the international rights to Little Audrey and will lead its sales efforts at AFM.
Jeff Thomas
Jeff Thomas is a producer who originated Little Audrey and spent nearly three decades developing Audrey Santo's story for the screen.
Michael Mailer
Michael Mailer is a filmmaker who directed Little Audrey and is also producing the film alongside John Buffalo Mailer.
The details
Jeff Thomas originated the project and spent nearly three decades pursuing Audrey's story for the screen, with producing duties shared by Michael Mailer and John Buffalo Mailer. Caitlin McCarthy wrote the screenplay, and Michael Mailer directed. The film has already played at the Austin Film Festival and premiered at the Woods Hole Film Festival this year.
Timeline
2026 (this year): Little Audrey premieres at Woods Hole Film Festival.
Next week, AFM 2026: Blue Fox Entertainment begins sales talks for the film.
2027: Little Audrey is scheduled to open wide, marking 40 years since Audrey Santo's accident.
Industry Dynamics
Independent sales companies are increasingly splitting territories, selling worldwide rights while holding back US theatrical, a structure that lets producers pursue foreign buyers before securing domestic distribution. Little Audrey follows that pattern as it heads toward market with a real-life, long-gestating story.
International audiences will be able to access Little Audrey through distributors in their territories once sales are completed, while US viewers must wait for a domestic distributor to be named. The 2027 wide release timing will determine when theatergoers can see the film.
The takeaway
Projects built on real-life stories often take decades to reach the screen, and this one is no exception. Following announced release dates and distributor news will show when the film becomes available to audiences.
What happens next
Blue Fox Entertainment begins sales talks for Little Audrey at AFM next week, and the film is scheduled to open wide in 2027.
Further reading
For more on how films like this reach audiences, see Film — General coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Screen.
