Pluto Film snags sales for Trzebuchowska 'Sick' at Fantastic Fest

Pluto Film has announced that it has boarded sales for *Sick*, the first feature from Polish director, screenwriter and actress Agata Trzebuchowska.

The horror‑drama is slated to world‑premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin this September, before heading to its European debut at the Sitges Film Festival later in the year. The film will screen in the New Wave sidebar of Fantastic Fest, running from September 17 to 24, 2026.

*’Sick’* follows sixteen‑year‑old Maks, played by Konrad Kąkol, and his older sister Emma, portrayed by Katarzyna Łubik. The siblings are sent to the Polish countryside to care for their ailing grandmother during a sweltering summer.

As isolation and heat press on them, the bond between Maks and Emma shifts into something unsettling, with the grandmother’s fragile presence taking on a disturbing quality that turns an idyllic holiday into a haunting passage into adulthood.

The film is produced by Patryk Sielecki and Adrianna Rędzia of Warsaw‑based Lumisenta. The rest of the cast includes Monika Niemczyk, Julian Świeżewski, and Eliza Rycembel.

Trzebuchowska’s background as a celebrated actress—most notably for her lead role in Paweł Pawlikowski’s 2015 Oscar‑winning *Ida*—has set the stage for this bold directorial venture.

## Background & Context

Agata Trzebuchowska first captured international attention with her performance in *Ida*, a film that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2015.

Her role as a young woman on the brink of taking vows was discovered after being scouted by director Małgorzata Szumowska, who knew Pawlikowski was searching for the right talent. Since then, Trzebuchowska has deliberately avoided mainstream fame, choosing instead to build a career as a screenwriter and director.

Her short‑film work earned recognition at major festivals. *Heat* and *Vacancy* were selected for Sundance and subsequently toured the circuit, appearing at Go Short and Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. These projects helped establish her reputation for blending psychological depth with genre storytelling.

In addition to directing, Trzebuchowska continues acting, most recently appearing in Pete Ohs’ *Erupcja* alongside Charli XCX, Lena Góra and Will Madden.

The transition from actress to auteur is a central theme of *Sick*. The film’s narrative—exploring the horror of growing up through the lens of a stifling summer—reflects Trzebuchowska’s own evolution as a storyteller who refuses to be pigeonholed.

Her choice to tackle such intimate and unsettling subject matter signals a shift toward more personal, risk‑taking cinema.

## What People Are Saying

Lumi­sen­ta’s Patryk Sielecki expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Pluto Film: “We are very happy that *Sick* has found its home at Pluto Film.

From our first conversations, we felt that they understood both the film’s provocative nature and the tenderness hidden beneath its genre elements.” He added, “The world premiere at Fantastic Fest and the European premiere at Sitges are an exciting beginning for the film, bringing it to audiences open to bold and unconventional stories.

At the same time, we believe *Sick* can resonate beyond the genre circuit, as it is ultimately a deeply emotional story about adolescence, desire and dependence, centered on a relationship that crosses every possible boundary.”

Pluto Film Managing Director Daniela Cölle praised Trzebuchowska’s approach: “Agata Trzebuchowska has created an atmospheric and unsettling horror film that transforms the oppressive calmness of a summer into a powerful psychological landscape.

Rather than coming‑of‑age story, *Sick* is the horror of growing up, exploring the fear, confusion, and loss of certainty that accompany the passage into adulthood.” Cölle’s comments highlight the film’s blend of genre tension with a poignant coming‑of‑age narrative.

Together, these statements underscore a shared belief that *Sick* transcends conventional horror tropes. The producers and distributor see the film as both an entry point for genre audiences and a vehicle for broader emotional resonance.

Their confidence suggests a strategic positioning that could attract viewers who are drawn to films that challenge traditional storytelling boundaries.

## What Happens Next

With sales secured, Pluto Film will manage global distribution for *Sick*. The film’s debut at Fantastic Fest places it among other cutting‑edge works in the New Wave sidebar, offering exposure to critics and festival programmers looking for fresh voices.

Following the U.S. premiere, the European screening at Sitges will likely attract a different segment of audiences, particularly those who favor auteur‑driven horror.

The timing of the releases is strategically planned. Fantastic Fest runs from September 17 to 24, 2026, providing a prime window for festival buzz and potential awards consideration. The subsequent Sitges debut—though the exact date remains unspecified—will allow the film to maintain momentum across two major international markets.

Both festivals are known for championing innovative storytelling, which aligns with Trzebuchowska’s artistic vision.

Pluto Film’s involvement indicates that *Sick* may secure theatrical or streaming placements after festival circulation.

While no specific distribution partners have been named yet, the combination of a strong festival presence and a compelling director‑actor‑writer pedigree positions the film for success in both niche and mainstream markets.

The journey from production to release is now underway, with the upcoming festival screenings serving as pivotal launch points. Trzebuchowska’s transition from celebrated actress to bold filmmaker has already generated considerable anticipation, and the industry will be watching closely to see how *Sick* performs on the global stage.