BROKEN BIRD Set for Nationwide U.S. Release This April

 

By Jon Donnis

Catalyst Studios and Seismic Releasing have announced that the psychological horror drama BROKEN BIRD will open in U.S. theatres on April 24, 2026. The film stars Rebecca Calder, known for The Conjuring: Last Rites, alongside James Fleet, and marks the feature directorial debut of Joanne Mitchell.

Written by Dominic Brunt, Tracey Sheals, and Mitchell herself, BROKEN BIRD expands on Mitchell’s short film Sybil. The production is led by Zoe Stewart, with Holly Levow, Mark Pennell, and Paul Kampf also producing. The cast is completed by Jay Taylor, Sacharissa Claxton, and Robyn Rainsford. The film gained critical acclaim during its festival run earlier this year, praised for its haunting tone and deeply affecting performances.

BROKEN BIRD tells the story of a lonely mortician with a poetic soul, played by Calder, whose search for love and connection takes a disturbingly intimate turn as grief and desire collide. Calder recently appeared internationally in The Conjuring: Last Rites and has credits including Kandahar, opposite Gerard Butler, and Memory, starring Liam Neeson. Fleet’s recent work includes Operation Mincemeat, Scream of the Wolf, Bridgerton, and The Devil’s Hour.

Joanne Mitchell, celebrated for emotionally driven, character-led storytelling within gothic drama and horror, saw BROKEN BIRD premiere as the opening film at London’s FrightFest. It also screened at the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival and earned a nomination for the Emerging Raven Award at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. Calder’s performance as Sybil was recognised with the Best Actor award at the Independent European Film Festival.

BROKEN BIRD is one of six films developed by Catalyst Studios to support female-led projects by women directors and producers. Holly Levow, Executive Lead and Co-Founder, said, “Broken Bird is exactly the kind of bold, character-driven filmmaking that defines Catalyst Studios. Joanne Mitchell has crafted a haunting and emotionally resonant film that stays with you long after the credits roll, and Rebecca Calder delivers a truly unforgettable performance. We’re thrilled to bring this powerful debut to audiences nationwide.”

Broken Bird (2024 Film) - Gripping Horror UK Cinema Release Date Confirmed as August 30

Catalyst Studios is set to captivate audiences with their latest gothic horror film, BROKEN BIRD, which will be released in UK cinemas starting 30th August 2024. The film is poised to make a grand entrance with its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, serving as the opening feature for this year's Pigeon Shrine FrightFest.

BROKEN BIRD marks the feature directorial debut of Joanne Mitchell, a seasoned horror storyteller with nearly 15 years of experience in the genre. The film is a full-length adaptation of the 2018 award-winning short film SYBIL, co-created with Tracey Sheals, and features a screenplay by Dominic Brunt.

The story of BROKEN BIRD revolves around Sybil Chamberlain, a quiet and creative individual with a penchant for taxidermy and poetry. Working in a funeral parlor, Sybil finds comfort in the company of the deceased, who seem to understand her in ways the living cannot. Her life took a tragic turn at the age of ten when a devastating accident claimed the lives of her beloved family, leaving her to grapple with profound loneliness.

As the narrative unfolds, Sybil's reality begins to unravel, and her dark desires become increasingly insatiable. Her fascination with the dead takes a sinister turn, leading to a horrific gothic climax where she finds a twisted sense of happiness and contentment among the deceased.

Rebecca Calder, known for her roles in Kandahar and Memory, delivers a riveting performance as Sybil, capturing the character's eccentricities and unsettling behavior with nuance. The film also features an impressive supporting cast, including James Fleet (Four Weddings & a Funeral), Sacharissa Claxton (Avenue 5), and Jay Taylor (Misfits).

With BROKEN BIRD, Catalyst Studios offers a haunting exploration of loneliness and the human psyche's darkest corners. As the film prepares to hit UK cinemas, audiences can anticipate a beautifully disturbing cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.