Focus Features and Universal Pictures International have acquired the international rights to Waves from acclaimed director Trey Edward Shults, and A24. Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss. Waves is a heartrending story about the universal capacity for compassion and growth even in the darkest of times.

This marks another collaboration from Focus and A24, having similarly teamed up on Greta Gerwig’s Academy Award® nominated Lady Bird, which like Waves, had an acclaimed Telluride debut and went on to its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Waves will screen next week.

Waves is written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, produced by Jim Wilson and Kevin Turen, and stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (It Comes At Night, All Rise), Lucas Hedges (Manchester By The Sea, Lady Bird, Three Billboards), Taylor Russel (Lost in Space), Alexa Demie (Mid90s, Euphoria), Neal Huff (Spotlight, Moonrise Kingdom, Split), Clifton Collins Jr. (Star Trek, Capote), Renée Elise Goldsberry (One Life to Live, Sisters) and Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther, This is Us). Focus Features acquired and Universal Pictures International will distribute the film worldwide excluding Canada, China and Japan, and A24 will release domestically on November 1, 2019.