Cappu Films has taken international sales rights to «Starbright,» the English-language fantasy adventure from director Francesco Lucente, sealing the deal just before the Busan International Film Festival's Asian Contents & Film Market opens. The film stars John Rhys-Davies, Diego Boneta and Alexandra Dowling, giving the project a recognizable international cast as it heads into one of Asia's largest film markets.
Dowling, known for her work in period television drama, plays Aisling, a young woman who makes a wish on a shooting star — a premise that anchors the fantasy adventure. The casting of Rhys-Davies, a veteran of epic fantasy cinema, and Boneta, whose credits span both English- and Spanish-language productions, positions «Starbright» for buyers across multiple territories.
The timing places the project at the center of the Busan market's deal-making window, where international sales agents typically finalize distribution agreements for upcoming titles. Cappu Films' acquisition of worldwide sales rights means the company will handle licensing to distributors and exhibitors outside the film's home market, a standard arrangement for independent features seeking global reach.
Fantasy adventure remains a durable genre for international buyers, particularly when projects combine established genre actors with emerging leads. Rhys-Davies is widely recognized for his roles in major fantasy and adventure franchises, while Boneta has built a following through both streaming and theatrical releases. Dowling's leading role signals the film's investment in a female protagonist at the center of its wish-fulfillment premise.
The Busan International Film Festival and its Asian Contents & Film Market serve as a key annual gathering for producers, sales agents and distributors focused on cross-border film trade. Deals announced on the eve of the market often set the tone for the week's negotiations, as sellers look to secure territorial pre-sales before production wraps or ahead of a festival premiere.
For «Starbright,» the Cappu Films deal gives the production a dedicated sales partner as it approaches the market. Further details about the film's production timeline, additional cast and distribution plans are expected to emerge as the market progresses.