Dark Sky Films and sister production and distribution company Watermelon Pictures are teaming up to bring a fresh jolt of gothic horror to North America. They’ve picked up Mārama, the latest feature from Māori writer-director Taratoa Stappard (Taumanu), ahead of its much-anticipated world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Set against the fog-laden streets of Victorian England in 1859, Mārama follows a young Māori woman’s harrowing journey to reclaim her identity and her indigenous heritage. When she is mysteriously summoned from New Zealand to North Yorkshire, she discovers the dark legacy of her colonial past and faces the terrifying Englishman responsible for her family’s ruin.
The film stars Māori actress Ariāna Osborne (Madam) in the lead role, alongside British talents Toby Stephens (“Black Sails”) and Umi Myers (Bob Marley: One Love), with New Zealand actors Erroll Shand (Savage) and Jordan Mooney (The Bluff) rounding out the ensemble.
The deal, which covers all North American distribution rights, was negotiated by Dark Sky Films acquisitions team together with producers Sharlene George and Rouzie Hassanova. George brings a wealth of experience in genre filmmaking, while Watermelon Pictures has been attracting attention with bold releases such as From Ground Zero and its involvement with The Voice Of Hind Rajab.
Mārama will hit North American theaters in early 2026, with international sales being handled at TIFF by Franziska McCray. Both Dark Sky and Watermelon are owned by MPI Media Group.
Produced by Sharlene George (Taumanu), Rickylee Russell-Waipuka (Taumanu), and Rouzie Hassanova (Radiogram), the film also benefits from the cultural guidance of Paraone Gloyne as Pou Tiaki Reo & Tikanga (Māori Language & Culture Producer). Executive producers include Victoria Dabbs and Gal Greenspan for Sweetshop Entertainment, and Jill Macnab and Phil Bremner for Vendetta Films.
Mārama was developed with support from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga/The New Zealand Film Commission, imagineNATIVE, The Black List, Toronto I.F.F., Zurich I.F.F., and the Berlinale Co-Production Market.
