Variety reports an exclusive sale: Magnify has sold Gastón Solnicki’s Venice premiere The Souffleur to Revolver & Madison Group for Italian distribution, with a wide theatrical release planned in 2026. The film, starring Willem Dafoe as Lucius — a hotel manager who’s lived in the building for 30 years — world-premiered at Venice Horizons. Austria rights went to Filmladen. The deal signals a strategic festival-to-theaters push and gives the Dafoe-led drama an early territory launch before wider global negotiations continue.
What Variety’s Exclusive Sale Reveals About The Film’s Immediate Future In 2026
Key Facts
- Magnify Sold The Souffleur To Revolver & Madison Group For Italy.
- World Premiere At Venice On Aug 31, 2025; Wide Italian Release Planned 2026.
- Filmladen Acquired Austria Rights; Other Territories Still Negotiating.
- Willem Dafoe Stars As A Hotel Manager Who’s Lived There 30 Years, Driving The Plot.
Why This Venice Sale Matters For The Souffleur’s 2026 Box Office Push
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The timing — a sale announced at Venice during the film’s world premiere — gives The Souffleur theatrical momentum heading into 2026. Festival buzz can convert to press and platform deals; securing an Italian distributor early means the film can mount a coordinated awards-season and theatrical strategy in at least one major market. Paolo Maria Spina of Revolver & Madison framed the acquisition as confidence in the film’s appeal, while Magnify’s global-sales chief Austin Kennedy positioned the title as a “true cinematic experience,” signaling a festival-driven theatrical play rather than an immediate streamer pivot.
What Filmmaker And Distributor Quotes Reveal About Dafoe’s Performance At Venice 2025
Director Gastón Solnicki praised Dafoe’s commitment, saying he “was very courageous, which I was so impressed by — that someone of his talent and experience would still be so ambitious as an actor.” Distributor Paolo Maria Spina said, “We are proud to represent such an original film in Italy, with a brilliant performance by Willem Dafoe.” Magnify’s Austin Kennedy added the team “can’t wait for Italian audiences to experience it in theaters,” underlining a theatrical-first intent for that market.
The 4 Numbers That Reveal The Souffleur’s Early Market Traction
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Date | Aug 31, 2025 | World Premiere Boosts Visibility |
| Planned Italian Release | 2026 (Wide) | Guarantees Early Theatrical Window |
| Character Tenure | 30 Years | Narrative Anchor For Critics |
| Territories Secured | Italy, Austria | Early Sales; Other Markets Pending |
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Early Venice sale plus two territory deals create measurable theatrical momentum for 2026.
How This Italian Deal Could Shape Awards Buzz And Global Sales In 2026
An early Italian theatrical commitment gives The Souffleur a concrete release window to build critical momentum and national press, which can feed awards-season positioning in Europe. With Venice exposure and two early distribution partners, Magnify can leverage festival reviews to negotiate further territory deals and platform terms. Next steps: more country sales and a confirmed Italian release date for 2026, which will set the calendar for broader marketing and awards campaigns.
Sources
- https://variety.com/2025/film/global/willem-dafoe-venice-the-souffleur-italy-magnify-distribution-1236502919/
- https://variety.com/2025/film/global/souffleur-gaston-solnicki-venice-1236497203/
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.