Little Spark Films Completed Its First Feature Film
The Arlington-based studio finished production after receiving a major investment from producer Chris C. Rushing.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Film — General
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Little Spark Films, founded by Joe Manco and Catalina Querida, has completed its first fully financed feature film. The project, titled Bridgette Wrona and the Whisper Creek Murders, was filmed over a 13-day period in North Texas.
Why it matters
The studio aims to fill a void in the independent genre filmmaking space within Texas. The production was made possible by a $1 million investment from producer Chris C. Rushing, which allowed the team to secure better equipment and larger crews.
Little Spark Films successfully completed its debut feature following a $1 million cash injection. The production was shot on location in Dallas over just 13 days.
The players
Little Spark Films
This is an independent production studio based in Arlington that focuses on genre filmmaking.
Joe Manco
He is one of the co-founders of Little Spark Films who started the company in 2013.
Catalina Querida
She serves as a co-founder of Little Spark Films and helped transition the studio toward independent feature production.
Chris C. Rushing
He is a producer who provided a $1 million investment to the studio in 2026.
Lloyd Kaufman
He is a veteran filmmaker and co-creator of the unproduced screenplay titled Night of the Witch.
The details
Founded in 2013, Little Spark Films transitioned into feature filmmaking after Manco and Querida grew dissatisfied with their previous work in music video production. The company has also secured the rights to Night of the Witch, an unproduced screenplay originally drafted by Stan Lee and Lloyd Kaufman in 1971.
Timeline
Joe Manco and Catalina Querida founded Little Spark Films in 2013.
Stan Lee and Lloyd Kaufman completed the original draft of Night of the Witch in 1971.
Little Spark Films received a $1 million investment in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This move reflects a growing trend of independent studios attempting to capture market share in regional hubs like Texas. By securing legacy intellectual property, Little Spark Films is positioning itself to compete with established independent genre labels.
While the studio has completed its initial project, residents in North Texas should watch for future local screenings or distribution announcements. The acquisition of the Lee and Kaufman script suggests that fans of independent genre cinema will have new projects to anticipate in the coming years.
The takeaway
Little Spark Films demonstrates how specific investments can accelerate the transition from short-form content to feature-length narratives. Independent creators can utilize these financial gains to secure rights to legacy scripts and build sustainable production pipelines.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Film — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
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