Catalyst Studios and Seismic Releasing have set a nationwide domestic theatrical release for the critically acclaimed psychological horror drama BROKEN BIRD, starring Rebecca Calder (The Conjuring: Last Rites) and James Fleet (Scream of the Wolf), and directed by Joanne Mitchell. The film will open in U.S. theaters on April 24, 2026.
Written by Dominic Brunt, Tracey Sheals and Joanne Mitchell, BROKEN BIRD is based on Mitchell’s short film Sybil and is produced by Zoe Stewart. Holly Levow, Mark Pennell, and Paul Kampf also produce. With Jay Taylor, Sacharissa Claxton, and Robyn Rainsford rounding out the cast.
The film enjoyed a successful festival run earlier this year, earning critical acclaim for its haunting atmosphere and deeply affecting performances.
In BROKEN BIRD, a lonely mortician with a poetic soul (Calder), searches for love and belonging — but as grief and desire collide, her need for connection takes a disturbingly intimate turn.
Rebecca Calder was most recently seen by international audiences in the hit feature The Conjuring: Last Rites, portraying Janet Smurl. Her recent film credits also include Kandahar, opposite Gerard Butler, and Memory, starring Liam Neeson.
James Fleet is a veteran actor whose recent credits include Operation Mincemeat, Scream of the Wolf, Bridgerton, and The Devil’s Hour.
Director Joanne Mitchell is a filmmaker best known for emotionally driven, character-led storytelling, often working within gothic drama and horror. BROKEN BIRD, her debut feature, premiered as the opening film at London’s FrightFest, screened at the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, and was nominated for the Emerging Raven Award at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF). Rebecca Calder received the Best Actor award at the Independent European Film Festival for her performance as Sybil.
Broken Bird is one of six films developed by Catalyst Studios as part of its early mission to champion female-led stories by women directors and producers.
“Broken Bird is exactly the kind of bold, character-driven filmmaking that defines Catalyst Studios,” said Holly Levow, Executive Lead and Co-Founder of Catalyst Studios. “Joanne Mitchell has crafted a haunting and emotionally resonant film that stays with you long after the credits roll, and Rebecca Calder delivers a truly unforgettable performance. We’re thrilled to bring this powerful debut to audiences nationwide.”
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