UTOPIA, the award-winning independent studio known for arthouse gems such as Pet Shop Days, Shiva Baby, The Sweet East, Holy Spider, and Red Rooms announced they are plunging into new waters today with the acquisition of Hot Spring Shark Attack (aka Onsen Shâku).
Utopia has acquired North American rights to the “unhinged” Japanese shark film and are planning a summer 2025 rollout. The deal was negotiated by Candace Tan on behalf of Utopia and Akiko Uchida 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, leading to a fierce and thrilling battle.
The film follows a history of first-time features released by Utopia. Hot Spring Shark Attack marks the directorial debut of Morihito Inoue, two-time winner of the National Independent Kaiju Film Championship. Hot Spring Shark Attack premiered at the 2024 Tokyo International Shark Film Festival where it took home the Audience Award.
Hot Spring Shark Attack will make a splash at its US premiere this June at the Chattanooga Film Festival. CFF programmers say they’re so sure that the film “will knock attendees’ socks off that they are recommending fans just don’t wear socks.” Utopia and CFF will sponsor a beach-themed opening night party – featuring the surf rock sounds of special guests BIG KAHUNA and themed beach beverages presented by Cathead Distillery – chaotically culminating in a karaoke clambake where everyone gets lei’d.
Utopia reports their growing enthusiasm and encouragement around early awards buzz of Hot Spring Shark Attack. Fans such as The Lizard or Hardkorman on Letterboxd declaring “real cinema is back” and that Hot Spring Shark Attack is “a masterpiece from start to finish.” Utopia’s Head of Marketing and Distribution, Kyle Greenberg said about the budding awards potential, “Wait, we bought what!?”
