Freestyle Digital Media has picked up U.S. distribution rights to 'CHARLIEBIRD', the acclaimed indie drama written by and starring Samantha Smart, and the debut feature from director Libby Ewing. The film heads to U.S. cinemas in February 2026, with a digital VOD release rolling out across North America shortly after.
The movie has made a strong impression on the festival circuit, taking major awards at Tribeca, SCAD Savannah, Coronado Island Film Festival and Lucca Film Festival.
Freestyle will screen the film in select cities — including New York and Los Angeles — before releasing it across digital rental/purchase platforms, plus a DVD option.
Watch the trailer below:
Outline: Al (Samantha Smart) works as a music therapist at a children’s hospital, doing her best to get through each day. When teenager Charlie (Gabriela Ochoa Perez) becomes her patient, the two form a connection that centres on a shared secret passion project — something that gives both of them strength as they look ahead to what comes next.
'CHARLIEBIRD' was filmed over just 14 days in the Houston, Texas area — a tight indie shoot with a small, focused team.
Festival Highlights
At Tribeca, 'CHARLIEBIRD' took home:
Founders Award – Best U.S. Narrative Feature
Best Performance – U.S. Narrative Feature (Gabriela Ochoa Perez)
The jury described the film as “deeply affecting,” with “grounded and complex performances.”
Other festival wins include:
Best Narrative Feature – SCAD Savannah Film Festival
Best Narrative Jury Award – Coronado Island Film Festival
Marcello Petrozziello Award – Lucca Film Festival
The film has also screened at Mill Valley, Denver, Hamptons, Austin, Houston Cinema Arts, and Tribeca Lisbon.
