June Squibb (Eleanor the Great), Linda Hamilton (Terminator 2: Judgement Day), Jayne Eastwood (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Caroline Aaron (Bookends) are all set to star in upcoming sports comedy Hot Curlers from filmmaker David White (This Town, Far North). Cornerstone Films is launching worldwide sales on the project at the Toronto International Film Festival this week.
The New Zealand project, which White co-wrote with Anna Taylor, is based on a true story about four young curlers from tiny Naseby, New Zealand, who dare to chase an impossible dream: making it to the Winter Olympics. When the team travels to Calgary, Canada to train, their limited budget leaves them with one unlikely option – moving into a retirement home. Adopted by its mischievous residents, the young men find coaches, cheerleaders and family, discovering that belonging matters more than winning. George Ferrier also stars in the project.
Hot Curlers, which is set to film in New Zealand and Calgary in early 2027, is produced by Kelly Martin for South Pacific Pictures and White, with the participation of Calgary-based SEVEN24 Films (Brokeback Mountain). The filmmakers are also working with the New Zealand Film Commission.
Madman Entertainment has taken distribution rights in Australia and New Zealand.
At TIFF, Cornerstone is also repping Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care, which is screening as a Special Presentation, Theo Rhys’ Stuffed with Jodie Comer and Harry Melling, which is world premiering as the opening night of the Discovery section, and Stephanie Ahn’s Bedford Park, which has its international premiere in the Discovery section.
Squibb is repped by BRS/Gage Talent Agency, Hamilton and Aaron by Innovative Artists Entertainment, Eastwood by Premier Artists Management and Ferrier by Odd Management and Circle Management + Production. White is repped by Stacey Testro International and David Fox, Jennifer Grega at Myman Greenspan Fox.
