My Penguin Friend

My Penguin Friend is an upcoming English-language Brazilian family adventure film directed by David Schurmann, written by Paulina Lagudi Ulrich and Kristen Lazarian, and starring Jean Reno and Adriana Barraza. It is based on the true story of fisherman João Perei de Souza and Dindim the penguin, which went viral in 2016. It is scheduled to be released on August 16, 2024.

Plot
Brazilian Fisherman João Perei de Souza discovers an injured penguin drifting alone in the ocean, near death and covered in oil from a spill. João rescues the animal and rehabilitates it, forging an unconventional lifelong friendship.

Cast

 * Jean Reno as João Perei de Souza
 * Adriana Barraza as Maria
 * Rocío Hernández as Stephanie
 * Nicolás Francella as Carlos
 * Alexia Moyano as Adriana
 * Thalma de Freitas as Calista

Production
On April 19, 2022, it was reported that Jonathan Lim had launched the production company City Hill Arts, and that their first film would be The Penguin & the Fisherman, to be directed by David Schurmann and starring Jean Reno. The film was later retitled My Penguin Friend. On October 14, 2022, it was reported that Adriana Barraza had joined the cast, as João's wife Maria.

My Penguin Friend was filmed primarily on the tropical beaches of Brazil and amongst a colony of nearly a million penguins in Patagonia. Production wrapped in February 2023, and post production took place in Madrid, Spain.

The film was produced by Jonathan Lim, Robin Jonas, Steven P. Wegner, Andreas Wentz, Nicolas Veinberg, Shaked Berenson, and Patrick Ewald. On February 15, 2024, it was announced that US distribution rights had been acquired by Roadside Attractions.

Release
The trailer was released on May 17, 2024. The film is scheduled to be released on August 16, 2024.