‘Joyland,’ Directed by Saim Sadiq '19, Secures US Distribution Deal

Joyland, the stunning award-winning feature from Saim Sadiq '19, has partnered with Oscilloscope for the film’s US distribution. The film will have a traditional theatrical release later this year.

Joyland follows the Ranas, a happily patriarchal joint family, as they yearn for the birth of a baby boy to continue the family line. Meanwhile, their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theater and falls for an ambitious trans starlet. Their impossible love story illuminates the entire family's desire for a sexual rebellion.

Directed by Sadiq, the film also features the work of several Columbia filmmakers, including Maggie Briggs '19 (Co-Writer, alongside Sadiq), Apoorva Charan '18 (Producer), and Jasmin Tenucci '20 (Editor). Film alumna and Dean's Council member Katharina Otto-Bernstein '92 ('86 CC), whose mentorship program has set up many Film alumni for success, also serves as a producer on the film, after Sadiq's previous short film Darling was a recipient of the Katharina Otto-Bernstein grant. Associate Professor Ramin Bahrani (CC ’96) serves as Executive Producer and Mona Maahn '22 as Associate Producer. The creative team behind the film also includes Rob Bellon '19, Esteban Garcia Vernaza '20, Bane Fakih '19, Mark Sean Haynes '17, and Kaiser Wahab (Law '99). 

“I am incredibly excited about welcoming Oscilloscope to our ever growing Joyland family and genuinely humbled by the fact that this dream that I nurtured for years is finally going to reach the audience in the US,” Sadiq told Deadline. “My team and I have been so overwhelmed with the unending outpour of love from theatrical audiences in France and Pakistan and festival audiences worldwide that have discovered the film. So I’m very hopeful that Haider, Biba, and Mumtaz will find many friends in the States as well.”