Independent distributor Rich Spirit has acquired U.S. and select international rights to If I Go Will They Miss Me, the Sundance-premiering coming-of-age drama written and directed by Walter Thompson-Hernandez.
The film stars Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and newcomer Bodhi Jordan Dell, and is currently being positioned for a fall theatrical release following its debut at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
The nearly $1 million deal signals strong early confidence in Thompson-Hernandez’s feature debut, a deeply personal story rooted in the Watts neighborhood of South Los Angeles. Based on the filmmaker’s Sundance-winning short of the same name, If I Go Will They Miss Me centers on 12-year-old Lil Ant (Dell), a thoughtful young artist who struggles to reconnect with his father, Big Ant (Nicholson), after his release from prison. As Lil Ant begins experiencing mysterious visions of boys drifting through his neighborhood, those moments begin revealing emotional and generational ties between father and son.
Danielle Brooks portrays Lozita, the family’s anchor, balancing the emotional weight of keeping the household steady while navigating her husband’s return and her son’s quiet transformation. Together, the trio forms the emotional core of a story that blends magical realism with grounded observations of family, identity, and place.
Myles Bullock, Bre-Z, Zaria Kelley, Mark Lane III, Nandi Nfr Ka, Kameron J Meadows, Jeremiah King and more also star in the feature.
A Sundance Breakout Finds Its Distributor
Rich Spirit’s acquisition comes after the film earned strong early responses during its Sundance premiere. Critics noted Thompson-Hernandez’s distinctive voice, with Variety chief film critic Peter Debruge calling the filmmaker a “talent-to-watch” and describing the film as a “one-of-a-kind Sundance discovery.”
The film was produced by Josh Peters, Saba Zerehi, and Ben Stillman. Executive producers include Robina Riccitiello, Steve Beckman, Isaac Ericson, Jennifer J. Pritzker, Sako Fisher, Meredith Crowley, Jonathan Weiner, Grace Lay, Tyler Bagley, Jack Chinery, Ryan Lynn, Danielle Brooks, and J. Alphonse Nicholson.
Musician Jon Batiste also contributed to the film, recording a cover of the classic song This Bitter Earth and serving as an executive producer.
Rich Spirit’s Growing Footprint in Independent Film
The deal further positions Rich Spirit as a rising presence in the independent film distribution space. Founded by James Shani, the company first drew industry attention with The Apprentice, the controversial Donald Trump biopic that generated significant festival conversation before securing distribution. Rich Spirit later released BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, an experimental documentary blending journalism, art, and cultural critique.
With If I Go Will They Miss Me, the company continues leaning into films that sit at the intersection of culture, commentary, and distinctive storytelling voices.
The acquisition was negotiated by Eugene Pikulin of Bruns Brennan Berry Pikulin & Jacobs LLP and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers and Rich Spirit.
Why This Story Matters
Beyond the deal itself, the film reflects a growing wave of independent projects centering intimate Black family narratives with artistic ambition. By combining magical realism with social observation, Thompson-Hernandez’s story joins a broader movement of filmmakers expanding the language of Black storytelling on screen — particularly within the independent festival circuit.
For Sundance, which is entering its final years in Park City before relocating in 2027, discoveries like If I Go Will They Miss Me continue to underscore the festival’s long-standing role as a launchpad for bold new filmmakers.
With a theatrical release now in motion, the film is poised to reach audiences far beyond the festival circuit — carrying with it a story about family, memory, and the quiet questions that shape a young life.