By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Punk-rock horror, a long-aborning Lloyd Kaufman project, a Josh Malerman adaptation and more are coming from this group.
Production outfit Little Spark Films, based in Arlington, Texas, has announced that it is expanding into a full studio with plans to release original content and develop and acquire new material for production. Founded in 2013 by Joe Manco and Catalina Querida, the company began with music videos and has gone on to work on THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS and the recently released feature VICEMARES, among other projects. Manco and Querida have now brought on author (OUR LADY OF THE INFERNO) and producer Preston Fassel (pictured above left) as CCO, creative director and head of development, and filmmaker (BYSTANDERS) and former Dread Central editor-in-chief Mary Beth McAndrews (above right) as director of marketing and social media outreach, among other new team members.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” says Fassel, whose East Texas ghost story THE BRIDE IN BLUE, about a haunted country music album, and THE ALLEY MAN, described as “THE SHINING in suburbia,” are part of the Little Spark slate. “I’ve sort of existed at every level of the film industry over the last decade and seen what works, what doesn’t work, what to do, and, even more importantly, what not to do. I plan on bringing that wisdom and experience to LSF while also helping to curate a diverse production slate with stories from a wide array of creators. Joe, Catalina, Chris [Rushing, CFO], Mary Beth, and Walt [W. Glenn Crowell, executive managing director] are an amazing team, and I’m very fortunate they want me along on this exciting new journey in Texas film. I consider tikkun olam and chesed, repairing the world and loving kindness, core components of my identity as a Jewish-American. This position allows me to help LSF give opportunities and visibility to creators who may struggle to be seen otherwise.”
“Little Spark Films embodies everything I love about indie filmmaking,” says McAndrews. “and I couldn’t be more excited to join the team to help bring these amazing projects to as many people as possible. I am a lifelong genre fanatic, so being able to combine that with my professional experience is a dream come true. Joe and Catalina have created something special with LSF, and it’s truly a privilege to be a part of this team.”
Other titles on the Little Spark slate are NIGHT OF THE WITCH, first conceived in the ’70s by Marvel’s Stan Lee and Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman, which Manco will direct from a script he co-wrote with Kaufman; Manco’s original project THE RECKONERS, a “punk rock horror project with heart” in collaboration with producer Julio Gonzalez; A BEN EVANS FILM, about a man who makes a movie starring his recently deceased parents, written, produced and directed by James Henry Hall and Bret K. Hall from the short story by Josh Malerman (BIRD BOX) and starring THE GREASY STRANGLER’s Sky Elobar; Cory Ahre’s actioner BUM RUSH; and the family-friendly mystery film BRIDGET WRONA.
“I wanted to collaborate with Little Spark Films because their project THE RECKONERS immediately resonated with my love for music and my passion for filmmaking,” says Gonzalez. “What excites me most about this project is the opportunity to spotlight emerging talent while telling a story rooted in punk attitude, rebellion, and raw honesty. I hope this collaboration with Little Sparks Films opens the door to future projects that amplify stories and voices that too often go unheard.”
Manco says, “The great thing about getting involved with these films out the gate of this expansion is that they are totally outside our network. BEN EVANS is very intriguing. We appreciate that it’s getting made, because we need more stories like that. Sky has been attached to some amazing projects, and every one of them has a beautiful and unique look. Not to mention, BIRD BOX was a worldwide phenomenon.” We’ll keep you posted on how Little Spark’s projects progress.
