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“Lilies Not For Me,” Will Seefried‘s queer romance drama starring Fionn O’Shea (“Normal People”) and Robert Aramayo (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), has been acquired by Gravitas Ventures for North American distribution.

Set in 1920s England, “Lilies Not for Me” revolves around a gay novelist and his psychiatric nurse who form an unlikely friendship over a series of doctor-prescribed dates. “Through their conversations, he tells her the story of his relationship with an old friend which spiraled out of control when they turned to a risky procedure to cure themselves of their forbidden feelings for one another,” the synopsis reads.

Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company, will release the film on digital and cable video on demand in April of this year.

“”Lilies Not For Me “is a poignant film exploring the complexities and danger of queer relationships in the 1920s. We are so...

Set in the early 1920s, Will Seefried’s debut feature, Lilies Not For Me, takes us back to a time when homosexuality was considered a deep sickness in need of a cure. The film follows novelist Owen James as he recounts past relationships to his nurse Dorothy at an asylum, where he’s sent for injections intended to “treat” his sexuality.

Owen’s story centers on his time at a countryside cottage with friend Philip, when their deep feelings emerged. Philip later decides to test an experimental surgery he believes can “cure” queer desire, undergoing the gruesome procedure himself before offering it to Owen. When Charles arrives seeking his father, a romance blossoms that further complicates Owen’s path.

The film contrasts the countryside idyll where Owen and Philip’s love found expression against the grim asylum representing society’s rejection. Through intimate glimpses of longing between the men and the hospital’s cold oppression,...

Antonio Vivaldi, the Italian Baroque composer and violinist who penned “The Four Seasons,” will be portrayed in “Primavera,” the feature debut of Damiano Michieletto, a leading opera director. Memento International has boarded the film which begins shooting this month in Rome and Venice.

“Primavera” was penned by Ludovica Rampoldi, the award-winning screenwriter of movies such as “The Traitor” and “Gomorrah – the series,” among others. The script is loosely adapted from Tiziano Scarpa’s critically acclaimed novel “Stabat Mater.”

Set in 18th century Venice, “Primavera” follows Cecilia, a 20-year-old violin virtuoso who lives at the Pièta orphanage. Despite her talent, Cecilia remains confined within the orphanage, knowing that marriage is the only way out. Yet, her life takes a turn after she meets Antonio Vivaldi, a brilliant and ambitious composer who becomes the new violin teacher. Guided by Vivaldi and his music, Cecilia “finds the strength to challenge the destiny that once seemed inevitable,...

France’s Memento International has added the English-language Venice Horizons title Familiar Touch to its festival slate.

Familiar Touch is the debut feature from US filmmaker Sarah Friedland and is about a woman’s transition to assisted living and the impact it has on her identity and desires.

Kathleen Chalfant, Carolyn Michelle, Andy McQueen, and H. Jon Benjamin star.

“It is a coming-of-age film that reimagines the genre for an older woman,” explained Friedland. “It is both a character study and a portrait of caregiving relationships.”

Friedland wrote the script and produces with Alexandra Byer’s Rathaus Films and Matthew Thurm’s Go For Thurm.

Exclusive: One of the buzzier titles set to debut at this year’s Edinburgh Film Festival is Lilies Not For Me, the first feature from American filmmaker Will Seefried, which we can share a first-look clip from above.

Set in 1920s England, the film follows a gay novelist and his psychiatric nurse who form an unlikely friendship over a series of doctor-prescribed ‘dates’. Through their conversations, he tells her the story of his relationship with an old friend which spiraled out of control when they turned to a risky procedure to cure themselves of their forbidden feelings for one another.

The film stars Fionn O’Shea (Normal People), Robert Aramayo (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Erin Kellyman (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Louis Hofmann (Dark), and Jodi Balfour (Quarry). Producers are Hannes Otto, Roelof Storm, Will Seefried, Naima Abed, and Emilie Georges. Memento International is handling the pic.

The 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) has launched its entire program for the Aug. 15-21 event, where it will screen 37 new feature films and 18 world premieres.

Ten world premieres will compete for the new Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence as the fest showcases talent from filmmakers in the U.K., U.S., Canada, Mexico, Norway, China, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Iran and beyond. Screenings will take place in the heart of Scotland’s picturesque capital at some of the city’s most iconic venues including Cameo Cinema, Summerhall, and 50 George Square.

Nora Fingscheidt’s The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan, was previously confirmed as the Fest’s opening night film, with the world premiere of Carla J. Easton and Blair Young’s documentary Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands set to close. Its Midnight Madness strand will close with the body horror The Substance, starring Demi Moore.