Dead Lover Makes Waves at SXSW with New Distribution Partnership
The film Dead Lover has officially marked its territory as the first feature acquisition from the newly formed partnership between Cartuna and Dweck Productions. This acquisition stands out as one of the early deals emerging from the 2025 SXSW Film Festival.
Written and directed by the talented Grace Glowicki, Dead Lover debuted in Texas on March 9, following its world premiere in the Midnight section at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The film features Glowicki alongside co-stars Ben Petrie, Leah Doz, and Lowen Morrow, presenting a unique twist on the Frankenstein narrative by merging elements of horror, comedy, and romance.
The storyline centers around Glowicki’s character, a gravedigger who experiences a passionate romance with her ideal partner, portrayed by Petrie. However, the love story takes a dark turn when he tragically drowns at sea. Determined to bring him back, she embarks on a series of experimental scientific endeavors to resurrect her beloved.
While Cartuna x Dweck plans a theatrical release for the film, specific details regarding the launch date remain undisclosed. Notably, Glowicki, who previously starred in Tito, co-wrote the script with Petrie and serves as a producer alongside him and Yona Strauss. This project is produced under the banner of Neon Heart Productions.
“We are at the helm of a historic creative movement,” stated James Belfer, the founder and CEO of Cartuna. “Innovative and boundary-pushing storytellers require extensive distribution support more than ever. Our collective of producers is taking control of the distribution narrative, and we hope to inspire others to pursue similar pathways.”
In a similar vein, Hannah Dweck, co-founder of Dweck Productions, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “What Grace and her team have unearthed from their creative depths is unprecedented. We are proud to collaborate with this wildly inventive team and eagerly anticipate introducing this exuberantly unfiltered, exhilarating, and beautifully unique rom-com to audiences.”
Cartuna, which initiated its film distribution division last year, gained recognition for its physical release of the indie sensation Hundreds of Beavers. Additionally, it was an investor in the Broadway production Oh, Mary!. Dweck Productions is celebrated for producing acclaimed indie films such as Jane Schoenbrun’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and Tyler Taormina’s Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point.
Glowicki shared her excitement, stating, “We feel incredibly fortunate to partner with Cartuna x Dweck. Both companies are steadfast supporters of independent cinema, and we are captivated by their vision to create a collaborative front that showcases films through a unique and personalized approach. Ben, Yona, and I are eager to team up with them to launch Dead Lover!”