At TIFF on Sept. 4, 2025, Black Bear announced it will give Sydney Sweeney’s biopic Christy a U.S. theatrical release in early November 2025. Directed by David Michod, the film stars Sweeney as boxer Christy Martin with Ben Foster as her trainer and manager-turned-husband Jim; Black Bear is positioning Christy as the first release from its new U.S. distribution arm.
Key Takeaways
- Black Bear will release Christy in U.S. theaters in early November 2025, announced at TIFF.
- David Michod directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Mirrah Foulkes; story by Katherine Fugate.
- Sydney Sweeney stars as Christy Martin; Ben Foster plays Jim.
- Production companies include Black Bear, Anonymous Content, Votiv, Fifty-Fifty Films and Yoki.
- UTA Independent Film Group and AC Independent negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
- Black Bear will handle international rights and plans U.K. and Ireland theatrical release.
Verified Facts
Christy is a dramatization of events in the life of Christy Martin, a West Virginia native who rose to prominence in professional boxing. The film was directed by David Michod, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mirrah Foulkes from a story by Katherine Fugate. Sydney Sweeney leads the cast and Ben Foster portrays Jim, the trainer and later husband who guided Martin inside and outside the ring.
Producers listed on the project include Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Teddy Schwarzman of Black Bear, Brent Stiefel and Justin Lothrop of Votiv, David Michod, and Sydney Sweeney. Executive producers include Michael Heimler, John Friedberg, Andrew Golov, Clementine Quittner, David Levine, Nick Shumaker, Mirrah Foulkes, Harrison Huffman, Brad Zimmerman, and Ryan Schwartz. Production companies are Black Bear, Anonymous Content, Votiv, Fifty-Fifty Films, and Yoki.
| Credit | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | David Michod |
| Writers | David Michod, Mirrah Foulkes (screenplay); story by Katherine Fugate |
| Lead | Sydney Sweeney |
| Supporting | Ben Foster |
| Production Companies | Black Bear, Anonymous Content, Votiv, Fifty-Fifty Films, Yoki |
UTA Independent Film Group and AC Independent negotiated the U.S. distribution agreement with Black Bear on behalf of the filmmakers. Black Bear announced it will handle international rights and has specific plans for theatrical releases in the U.K. and Ireland. The company noted this film follows its earlier collaboration with Sweeney on Immaculate, which was released domestically by NEON.
Context & Impact
Black Bear launched its U.S. distribution arm in July 2025 with a plan to release a curated slate of up to 12 films per year. The division is led by President Benjamin Kramer and Head of U.S. Theatrical Distribution David Spitz. Christy is being positioned as an early high-profile title to introduce the new arm to American theaters.
Premiering or announcing at TIFF gives the film visibility among buyers, critics, and awards-season observers. A mid-to-late fall U.S. opening can help a biopic find awards traction while aiming for adult-theatrical audiences who follow character-driven films.
- Black Bear aims to blend filmmaker-driven fare with genre and wider-release titles across its slate.
- Early November timing places Christy in a competitive awards and specialty release window.
We reimagined how to bring Christy to U.S. audiences and are excited to share this portrait of resilience and defiance, led by Sydney Sweeney, with theaters nationwide.
Benjamin Kramer, President of U.S. Distribution, Black Bear
Unconfirmed
- No official wide-release day in November 2025 has been published yet; Black Bear has announced only an early-November window.
- Box office projections and distributor estimates for opening or total gross are not confirmed.
- Territorial deals beyond the U.K. and Ireland have not been fully disclosed.
Bottom Line
Black Bear s decision to roll out Christy as a signature early-November title underscores the company s intent to make a visible entrance into U.S. theatrical distribution. With a festival announcement at TIFF, experienced filmmakers attached, and a high-profile lead in Sydney Sweeney, Christy will be watched closely by specialty-audiences and awards observers as it reaches American cinemas.