Oscilloscope to Release Sundance Winner in Theaters in 2027

The independent film market continues to absorb award-winning international titles as distribution rights are finalized. Oscilloscope Laboratories has purchased the North American rights to the feature film Shame and Money. The movie is directed by Visar Morina and won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. This specific win qualifies the film to compete for the Academy Award for international feature film under current Academy rules.

The path to the North American market began with the film’s initial run at Sundance. Since that debut, the movie has collected awards at multiple festivals. It received the Cinemasters Jury Prize at FilmFest Munich. It also won best film and best actor at Prifest in Kosovo. At the ODA Film Festival, the film secured four distinct awards for best movie, actress, actor, and script. The German distributor Eksystent Filmverleih gave the film a theatrical release in September.

Oscilloscope is planning a theatrical release for the film in early 2027. The story follows a couple in their forties living in rural Kosovo with their extended family. They maintain a modest living through their farm until a family dispute causes them to lose their livelihood. The family then moves to the capital, Pristina. In the city, the parents face pressure to provide for their household while seeking employment and housing.

Morina co-wrote the screenplay with Doruntina Basha. The cast includes Astrit Kabashi, Flonja Kodheli, Kumrije Hoxa, Fiona Gllavica, and Alban Ukaj. Morina stated that many people worldwide are finding it difficult to make ends meet. He expressed a belief in the need for greater class consciousness and hoped the film would contribute to that understanding.

Dan Berger, president of Oscilloscope, described the film as a subtle and searingly real portrait of a family. He said the company feels a deep connection to the characters and their struggles. He characterized the movie as an indictment of an economic system that is constructed to keep too many people down. This is the third feature-length film for Morina, whose previous works include Exile and Babai.

The production team includes producers Fabian Altenried, Sophie Ahrens, and Kristof Gerega from Schuldenberg Films. They are joined by Pia Hellenthal and Morina. Schuldenberg Films has previously worked on titles such as Objet a, Strange River, and Life Is Not a Competition but I’m Winning. Hellenthal is also known for her work on Searching Eva.

The Yellow Affair is handling international sales. Rights have already been acquired for France, Indonesia, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey. The acquiring companies include Arizona Distribution, Falcon, Mirror Audiovisual, Trigon, and Filmarti, respectively. Additional deals are expected to be finalized soon. Morina is currently represented by Cinetic Media.