A haunting mystery rooted in one of America’s most notorious UFO sightings is headed to the big screen. Blue Harbor Entertainment has today announced that Star People, the sci-fi thriller from writer-director Adam Finberg, will hit theaters on July 25, followed by a VOD release on August 12. But first, the film will make its festival World Premiere on June 28 at Dances With Films: LA, taking over the legendary TCL Chinese Theater.
Finberg’s narrative feature directorial debut is inspired by the real-life mass sighting known as The Phoenix Lights. The film follows a driven photographer, played by actor and recording artist Kat Cunning (On Swift Horses, “The Deuce”), who receives a tip that may finally explain the alien encounter they witnessed as a child. But as a suffocating heatwave grips the area, their search for the truth is complicated by ominous guests and rising danger.
Joining Cunning in the ensemble cast are McCabe Slye (Destroyer, Fear Street Trilogy), Connor Paolo (The Last Stop in Yuma County, “Revenge,” “Gossip Girl”), Eddie Martinez (“The Sinner,” Night Swim), Bradley Fisher (“Westworld”), and Adriana Aluna Martinez (“Duster”).
Finberg also serves as a producer on the film alongside Josh Shader, with the latter praising the collaborative spirit of their partnership with Blue Harbor Entertainment:
“We’re all in on Blue Harbor’s vision for launching Star People. With their transparent, collaborative approach, the filmmaker isn’t just a spectator — they’re part of the marketing and distribution game plan from the start,” stated Shader.
Blue Harbor, led by Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina, and Seth Needle, echoed that enthusiasm.
“We’re excited to share Star People with audiences everywhere later this summer. This eerie, atmospheric thriller deals with one of the more confounding events that remains in question today. Adam and Josh have really captured the unease and wonder of the unknown while keeping you on edge throughout,” the company shared in a statement.
Blue Harbor has been on a hot streak in 2025, releasing multiple high-profile, buzzworthy projects. The company debuted Audrey’s Children, the award-winning true story of pediatric cancer pioneer Dr. Audrey Evans starring Natalie Dormer, back in March. This was followed by the queer romantic dramedy A Nice Indian Boy, featuring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, which has become the highest-grossing English-language limited release of the year. Most recently, they brought Lilly — the inspiring biopic of equal pay icon Lilly Ledbetter starring Patricia Clarkson — to audiences in May.
In anticipation of the release, an official trailer has also just debuted. Further details on the Star People World Premiere at Dances With Films: LA can be found here.
