"Summer Drift" Secures Sales Deal Amidst ACID Program Revelation
MoreThan Films has snagged international sales rights for "Summer Drift," a Swiss-French co-production now slated for inclusion in the prestigious ACID (Association for the Circulation of Independent Film) sidebar at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. The announcement surfaces as the full ACID lineup for 2026 has been revealed, showcasing a collection of nine "adventurous" independent productions.
The ACID section, known for championing films often lacking French distributors and championing debut features, presents a curated selection that seeks to reflect "the unsettling fever of our times and our boundless capacity to face it head-on."
ACID 2026 Selection Details
The 2026 ACID lineup features a diverse array of cinematic voices. Among the announced titles are:
"A Secret Heart" (Documentary, France) directed by Tom Fontenille.
"Blaise" (France) by Dimitri Planchon and Jean-Paul Guigue.
"Born Under A Bad Star" (France), the opening film, directed by Lola Cambourieu and Yann Berlier.
"Dans La Gueule de L’Ogre" (Documentary, France) by Mahsa Karampour.
"Detention" (Documentary, France) directed by Guillaume Massart.
"Living Twice, Dying Thrice" (Iran) by Karim Lakzadeh, a clandestinely shot film about miners faking their deaths for insurance.
"Promised Spaces" (France, Germany, Serbia, Cambodia) from directors Ivan Marković.
"Rewind Barcelona" (France) directed by Paul Nouhet.
"Summer Drift" (Switzerland, France) by co-directors Céline Carridroit and Aline Suter, which chronicles 24 hours in the life of a young woman in a suburban setting under the control of an abusive partner.
Background: The ACID Imperative
For over three decades, the ACID program has carved out a distinct space within the Cannes ecosystem. It operates as an "open bubble," eschewing the traditional red carpet fanfare to focus on facilitating the circulation and exhibition of independent cinema. This parallel section highlights films that might otherwise be overlooked, actively seeking distributors and supporting their journey through a network of partner cinemas and festivals across approximately twenty countries.
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The selection process itself is guided by a committee of filmmakers, members of the ACID association, many of whom have had their own work previously featured in the program. This peer-to-peer curation underscores ACID's commitment to supporting bold filmmaking and a multiplicity of perspectives. Each film presented is typically accompanied by screenings that include Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and ACID members, fostering a dialogue between creators and the public. This dedication extends to educational outreach, with masterclasses and workshops designed to engage a wider audience, including students, with the independent film landscape.
