By MICHAEL GINGOLD
A film in which everyone is truly in hot water.
We’ve already had one shark-movie announcement today, and now for something completely different… Utopia, the independent distributor that has brought us RED ROOMS, FEMME and many more, has announced its acquisition of North American rights to HOT SPRING SHARK ATTACK (a.k.a. ONSEN SHAKU). This “unhinged” flick, for which a summer 2025 release is planned, is the directorial debut of Morihito Inoue, two-time winner of the National Independent Kaiju Film Championship, and premiered at the 2024 Tokyo International Shark Film Festival, where it nabbed the Audience Award.
Prior to commercial release, HOT SPRING SHARK ATTACK will have its U.S. premiere in June at the Chattanooga Film Festival. According to the PR, “CFF programmers say they’re so sure that the film ‘will knock attendees’ socks off that they are recommending fans just don’t wear socks.’ Utopia and CFF will sponsor a beach-themed opening night party–featuring the surf rock sounds of special guests Big Kahuna and themed beach beverages presented by Cathead Distillery–chaotically culminating in a karaoke clambake where everyone gets lei’d.” We’ll keep you updated on the exact release plans!
