For Immediate Release May 13, 2026 | Press Contact info@theFL6Fund.com
CANNES, FRANCE — May 13, 2026 — FL6 Entertainment today announced the formal co‑production agreement for DOGS, an international survival thriller set in a remote bamboo forest in the mountains of China, marking one of the most commercially positioned China–U.S. co–productions to enter the market this year. The announcement comes from the 79th Festival de Cannes at the Marché du Film, the world’s largest film industry market, running May 12–23, 2026 at the Palais des Festivals.
DOGS is a genre‑driven survival thriller blending creature‑feature tension, mystery, and emotional redemption. When a monstrous dog bred for fighting and abandoned deep in the mountains begins slaughtering members of a weekend hiking tour, a young woman paralyzed by a lifelong fear of dogs must confront her deepest phobia to save the survivors — and face the tragic, man‑made evil behind the beast. Written by Nicholas Z. Scott, the film will be directed by Jud Willmont and Nicholas Z. Scott, and is being developed as a prestige international co‑production targeting both the global theatrical market and Mainland China’s expanding genre audience.
DOGS occupies a commercially proven lane: survival thrillers with creature‑driven tension, grounded mystery, and emotional stakes that resonate across cultural boundaries. Films in this category have demonstrated remarkable consistency at the international box office from the $872M worldwide performance of Jurassic World Rebirth to the breakout success of Sinners ($370M WW) and 28 Years Later ($151M WW), confirming sustained global appetite for original, non‑IP‑dependent genre storytelling. Unlike franchise entries that rely on pre‑existing awareness, DOGS draws its power from universal themes: fear, survival, and redemption.
The film features English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Japanese-speaking characters. This wide array of international cast and languages positions the film to appeal to multiple global markets and strengthens its reach across North America, Mainland China, Latin America, and Japan, four of the world’s largest theatrical territories. The China co‑production structure provides significant distribution advantages within Mainland China, including quota exemption and access to a domestic market that continues to prioritize locally invested productions.
FL6 Entertainment is developing DOGS as a franchise‑ready intellectual property. The creature mythology, geographic environment, and emotional architecture are designed to support sequels, expanded‑universe storytelling, and ancillary media. The first film is engineered as a complete, satisfying, standalone experience and as a compelling foundation for future installments.
The production budget is currently classified as low-to-midrange, with final figures dependent on cast attachment. FL6 is actively engaging with top-tier international talent whose profile aligns with the film’s dual mandate: cinematic excellence and global advocacy for the animal welfare themes at the story’s core. A cast announcement is anticipated in the coming weeks.
“DOGS is exactly the kind of film the international market is hungry for right now: original, emotionally powerful, and built on a premise that doesn’t require a brand to land. The co-production agreement we are announcing today represents a meaningful commitment to authentic China-set storytelling made for the world. We believe this is the beginning of a franchise, and we believe Cannes is the right place to introduce it. The appetite for this genre is extraordinary. The timing is right. The story is ready.” — Tracy Beam, CEO & Fund Manager, FL6 Entertainment
“We set out to make a film that earns its scares and then breaks your heart. DOGS is a survival thriller, yes, but underneath the creature terror is a story about human cruelty, animal resilience, and one woman’s journey from paralyzing fear to extraordinary courage. We’re excited to be announcing this week during Cannes, and we’re ready to talk to partners who understand what this film can become.” — Jud Willmont & Nicholas Z. Scott, Directors, DOGS
FL6 Entertainment is meeting with international sales agents, theatrical distributors, and co-financing partners throughout the Marché du Film at the Palais des Festivals, May 12–23. The full script, lookbook, Greenlight coverage (98th percentile – highly recommended), and executive summary package are available to qualified industry partners and investors upon request through the FL6 press contact listed above.
###
ABOUT FL6 ENTERTAINMENT
FL6 Entertainment is a prestige independent production company founded by Tracy Beam and Daniel Grodnik, specializing in global productions with a focus on commercially driven genre storytelling, global cast, and market-first development strategy. With offices in Los Angeles, Houston, and active co-production partnerships in China and the Asia Pacific, FL6 is committed to producing original intellectual property that performs at the international theatrical level while advancing meaningful cultural conversation. DOGS is an FL6 International flagship project for 2026–2027.
ABOUT WILLMOUNTAIN FILMS
Established in Shanghai in 2003, Willmountain Films develops and produces original film, documentary, and audiovisual content for international audiences. The company’s body of work includes a wide range of short films, feature‑length documentaries, and narrative feature projects, alongside a growing slate of original IP in various stages of development and production. Drawing on decades of cross‑cultural production experience, Willmountain Films specializes in stories and collaborations that connect creative communities and audiences across East and West.
