AceShowbiz - Sean Baker continues his acclaimed filmmaking journey as Warner Bros. secures worldwide rights to his upcoming feature, Ti Amo!, marking his first project following the Oscar-winning success of Anora.

The deal, announced at CinemaCon, excludes France but grants Warner Bros. the ability to distribute the film globally when it releases in 2027. This acquisition coincides with the unveiling of Warner Bros.’ new specialty film division, Clockwork, which was launched in December as part of a strategic push into independent cinema.

Clockwork was established after Warner Bros. executives Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy recruited three key executives from Neon, an indie company known for its prestige titles. Neon is famed for accumulating 39 Academy Award nominations and 11 wins, including best picture awards for both Parasite and Anora.

Christian Parkes, head of Clockwork reporting to De Luca and Abdy, highlighted Sean Baker’s alignment with the division’s vision. He noted that “Sean Baker is an artist who embodies everything we believe in at Clockwork, and Ti Amo! will be another gift to Cinema. Plus, his poster game is on point.”

In Ti Amo!, Sean Baker is taking on multiple creative roles, including writing, directing, editing, casting, and producing. He is collaborating once again with producers Alex Coco and Samantha Quan, who previously worked with him on Anora. The production companies involved are Cre Film and Rapt Film, with financing provided by FilmNation Entertainment.

Details about the film’s storyline remain under wraps, but the project follows closely on the heels of Anora, which won several Oscars last year. Besides the best picture win, Anora earned accolades for best original screenplay, best editor, and best director. Lead actress Mikey Madison was also awarded best actress for her performance.

The executives who joined Clockwork from Neon include Christian Parkes, who was head of marketing during the release of Anora, as well as former colleagues Jason Wald and Spencer Collantes. Efforts to acquire Neon outright were made by De Luca and Abdy but were declined by Neon’s founder Tom Quinn, according to multiple sources.

Neon has built an impressive track record in just eight years, establishing itself as a powerhouse in the indie film sector with numerous Oscar nominations and wins. It remains uncertain how the independent film landscape will evolve once David Ellison’s Paramount-Skydance finalizes its purchase of Warner Bros. However, industry insiders expect the two studios to operate separately for at least two years, with Paramount also launching its own specialty indie label.

The announcement of Ti Amo! and the launch of Clockwork come amid a dynamic period for Warner Bros. and the broader film industry. Meanwhile, Neon showcased its upcoming film slate at CinemaCon on Tuesday, securing a prime presentation slot following the State of the Industry session.

As Warner Bros. prepares to debut Ti Amo! in 2027, expectations are high for the next chapter in Sean Baker’s career after his sweeping success with Anora. With a talented team and strong studio backing, Ti Amo! is poised to make a significant impact on the indie film scene.