Focus board Oculus follow-up

Ahead of Sunday’s (8) world premiere of TIFF Midnight Madness selection Oculus, Focus Features International (FFI) has reunited with Intrepid Pictures, MICA Entertainment and filmmaker Mike Flanagan and partnered with Demarest Films on the psychological horror Somnia.

FFI has launched talks with international buyers here on Somnia, which Intrepid’s Trevor Macy produces with William D Johnson and Sam Englebardt of Demarest Films, who co-finance with MICA Entertainment.

Flanagan is scheduled to shoot the project this autumn from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jeff Howard.

The plot explores the intense bond between parent and child and centres on an orphan whose dreams and nightmares manifest physically while he sleeps. Mali Elfman will serve as executive producer.

“We look forward to partnering with Mike and Trevor again following Oculus,” said FFI co-president Alison Thompson. “Mike is quickly making a name for himself in the genre space with his unique ability to tell haunting stories with rich tones and complex characters.”

MICA Entertainment principal Dale Johnson said: “Oculus was a very positive experience for us and we are very proud of the film. Somnia is a natural extension of that relationship.”

“Mike is one of the most talented and exciting new directors working today, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with him and Trevor on this fantastic project,” added Demarest Films CEO Sam Englebardt.

Intrepid Pictures’ Trevor Macy said: “Alison and her team at Focus have been steadfast supporters and collaborators for us and MICA since the early days of Oculus, and we are excited to be in business with them again on Somnia.”

Alison Thompson will be the subject of the festival’s Moguls programme on Saturday (7) at 1pm at Glenn Gould Studio.