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Exclusive: Vertical has acquired North American rights to Griffin in Summer, the breakout debut feature of writer-director Nicholas Colia, for release in theaters this summer.

Starring Everett Blunck, an up-and-comer who can currently be seen at Cannes in Charlie Polinger’s The Plague, Griffin in Summer is a comedy that cleaned up in its world premiere at last year’s Tribeca Festival, winning Best U.S. Narrative Feature, Best U.S. Narrative Screenplay, and Special Jury Mention for New Narrative Director.

Also garnering Colia a 2025 nomination for the Indie Spirits’ Someone to Watch Award, the film follows Griffin Nafly (Blunck), who is the most ambitious playwright of his generation. He’s also 14 years old and living with his parents in a humdrum suburb. But when a handsome 25-year-old (Owen Teague) enters the picture, Griffin’s life — and his new play — take an unexpected turn.

“Having been lucky enough to travel...

The 1980s was a unique decade for British comedies and films in general, with a golden tinge on the ten-year run that produced some incredible cinematic works. In contrast to many American comedies at the time, the differences between the two are often noted, with British work dripping in irony, satire, and self-deprecation, which create a unique brand of comedy. It was also a time when many of Britain's rising stars and comedians were really coming into their own and blossoming into internationally known talents.

There are many films from the time that stand out as rewatchable British classics, such as A Fish Called Wanda and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. These films represent some of the very best of comedy, from the surreal and absurd sketch comedy of Monty Python to films that lean on social commentary and hilarious premises to provide the breeding ground for comical moments.