Focus Features to distribute ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’ from Eliza Hittman

Focus Features has snapped up the rights to Eliza Hittman’s follow up to Beach Rats, the abortion drama Never Rarely Sometimes Always, with Universal Pictures International handling the worldwide release.

The film, already wrapped, tells the story of two Pennsylvania girls, Autumn and her cousin Skylar, who embark on a dangerous trek across state lines in order to find an abortion clinic.

The timely film was was co-financed by Tango Entertainment, BBC Films and Mutressa Movies and produced Pastel’s Adele Romanski and Sara Murphy, the team behind Barry Jenkins’ Oscar winners Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk.

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said, “Eliza is an outstanding artist who elevates intimate tales into powerfully relatable stories, and Pastel consistently make courageous films that humanize topics too often polarized in the media. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining them on the journey of bringing this timely and moving film to the world”

Pastel added, “We have been admirers of Eliza’s filmmaking since her debut It Felt Like Love and we are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with her on Never Rarely Sometimes Always, a critical story for our time and one that we feel desperately needs to be told.”

Rose Garnett, Director of BBC Films, commented, “Eliza is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today and in Never Rarely Sometimes Always she sensitively explores an experience women around the world can relate to. We’re proud to help Eliza tell this story.”

The film stars Sidney Flanigan as Autumn and Talia Ryder as Skylar, Théodore Pellerin (Boy Erased), Ryan Eggold (BlacKkKlansman), and Sharon Van Etten (The OA).

Keep an eye out for this to likely enter the fall festival circuit and break through this awards season.