Sebastian (2024 film)

Sebastian is a 2024 international co-production film written and directed by Mikko Mäkelä.

Premise
Max, aspiring young writer in London, begins living a double life as a sex worker in order to research his debut novel.

Cast

 * Ruaridh Mollica as Max
 * Hiftu Quasem as Amna
 * Ingvar Sigurdsson as Daniel
 * Jonathan Hyde as Nicholas
 * Lara Rossi as Claudia
 * Leanne Best as Dionne
 * David Nellist as Peter
 * Pedro Minas as Oliver
 * Fleur Keith as Joan
 * Dylan Brady as Joel
 * Akbar Kurtha as Samir
 * Marcus Macleod as Stuart

Production
Written and directed by Mäkelä as his second feature, Sebastian was produced by James Watson for their joint company Bêtes Sauvages, co-produced by Helsinki-filmi and Lemming Film België, and executive produced by Ciara Barry and Rosie Crerar of barry crerar. The film was supported by the BFI and Screen Scotland, as well as the Finnish Film Foundation, Finnish Impact Film Fund, Great Point Media, BNP Paribas Film Finance, and the Belgian Tax Shelter.

Principal photography took place in London, Glasgow, and Brussels, with post-production in London, Antwerp and Helsinki.

Release
In December 2023, it was revealed the film would premiere in January at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. LevelK acquired the international rights to the film ahead of its Sundance premiere. In February 2024, it was announced that the film had been acquired by Kino Lorber for North America, with a theatrical release to be announced.