Utopia Acquires Domestic Rights To Japanese Film ‘Hot Spring Shark Attack’ Ahead Of U.S. Festival Premiere
EXCLUSIVE: It’s fifty years since Jaws was released and U.S. distributors are getting in the mood. Utopia, the domestic buyer of movies including Pet Shop Days, Shiva Baby, and Holy Spider, is plunging into new waters with the acquisition of Hot Spring Shark Attack (aka Onsen Shâku).
Utopia has acquired North American rights to the Japanese shark film and is planning a summer 2025 rollout. The deal was negotiated by Candace Tan, Director of Acquisitions, on behalf of Utopia and Akiko Uchida, Acquisitions and Sales, of King Record.
Hot Spring Shark Attack is set in a small, hot spring town in Japan, where a ferocious ancient shark reawakens and terrorizes the local hot spring facilities. As the threat escalates, the townspeople band together to protect their beloved town from the menacing predator.
The thriller-comedy marks the directorial debut of Morihito Inoue, two-time winner of the National Independent Kaiju Film Championship. It premiered at the 2024 Tokyo International Shark Film Festival, where it took home the Audience Award, and was released in Japan and other international territories last year.
Hot Spring Shark Attack will make its U.S. premiere this June at the Chattanooga Film Festival. Utopia and CFF will sponsor a beach-themed opening night party, featuring the surf rock sounds of special guests Big Kahuna.
‘Hot Spring Shark Attack’
