The queer romance Ephemera, which made its world premiere earlier this year at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, has secured a worldwide sales deal with Hong Kong-based Cappu Films. The acquisition comes as the film is being presented to international buyers at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan, held from October 10 to 13.
Directed by Shan Jiang, the film follows the fleeting connection between two women in post-pandemic Shanghai. The story centers on Asher (Yvonne Shuyu Zhang), a 23-year-old Chinese-American actress and vlogger preparing to return to Los Angeles, and Tori (Shu-Yi), her hip-hop dance instructor. Over the course of a single night, the pair navigates the city’s streets, exploring themes of displacement and the transient nature of modern relationships.
The film, titled 浮浮游游 (Fú fú yóu yóu) in Chinese, has drawn stylistic comparisons to Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise for its walk-and-talk narrative structure. Critics and the production team have also noted the aesthetic influence of Wong Kar-wai in its portrayal of urban longing and intimate cinematography.
A co-production between the United States and Singapore, Ephemera was developed with support from Film Independent. The project was produced by Shan Jiang alongside Yinx Zhou and Sol Ye, with Jane Zheng and Alex Steyermark serving as executive producers.
During its debut in the U.S. Narrative Competition at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, the 82-minute feature was recognized for its contribution to contemporary queer Asian-diaspora cinema. The deal with Cappu Films marks a strategic move to bring the film to a global audience, particularly targeting arthouse and LGBTQ+ focused distributors within the Asian and international markets.
While the film continues its run on the festival circuit, including its current showcase in Busan, specific theatrical release dates for North America and Asia have not yet been announced. The sales team at Cappu Films is currently managing inquiries as the ACFM concludes this week.
