De Novo just became one of the most intriguing indie genre projects on the radar. With Lilly Wachowski joining as an executive producer, Jenna Kanell’s cerebral sci-fi film is gaining serious momentum ahead of wider industry attention.
The upcoming feature, written and directed by Kanell and now in post-production, blends speculative science fiction with psychological mystery. At its center is Jonah, a reclusive scientist whose research into fungi takes a mind-bending turn after a cosmic event reveals that she may be trapped inside a simulation linked to a system she helped build. For fans of ambitious indie storytelling, De Novo is shaping up as a title to watch in the Tv & Video space and beyond.
De Novo gains a major boost with Lilly Wachowski
The biggest headline around De Novo is the arrival of Lilly Wachowski’s Anarchists United, alongside Sarah Marie Flores and Lawrence Mattis, as executive producers. Wachowski’s involvement instantly raises the profile of the project, particularly for audiences drawn to intelligent, reality-bending science fiction.
While De Novo remains an independent production, attaching a filmmaker associated with bold visual imagination and philosophical sci-fi themes signals confidence in the film’s creative direction. It also positions the project as one with crossover appeal between festival audiences, genre fans, and distributors looking for elevated science fiction.
Also joining as executive producer is James Ward Byrkit, best known for writing and directing Coherence, another acclaimed indie sci-fi film that explored fractured realities and perception. That connection feels especially notable, given the thematic overlap in paranoia, altered consciousness, and destabilized versions of reality.
What De Novo is about
The premise of De Novo taps directly into several of the most compelling trends in modern sci-fi cinema:
- simulation theory and artificial systems
- cosmic disruption as a catalyst for revelation
- scientific inquiry colliding with personal identity
- eco-horror and fungal imagery as atmospheric storytelling tools
According to the film’s synopsis, Jonah is a scientist studying fungi when a cosmic event changes everything. She discovers that her world may be a simulation powered by the same system she helped create. That setup gives De Novo room to explore not just suspense, but larger questions about technology, control, authorship, and human consciousness.
Fungi as a narrative element is particularly interesting. In recent years, mushrooms and mycelial networks have become potent symbols in speculative storytelling, often representing interconnection, hidden intelligence, decay, and regeneration. If De Novo leans into that imagery, it could deliver a visually and conceptually rich experience.
Cast and creative team behind De Novo
Jenna Kanell is leading De Novo both behind and in front of the camera, a creative double role that often gives indie projects a sharper, more personal perspective. Known to many genre fans for her acting work, Kanell is clearly expanding her footprint as a filmmaker with a story that aims high concept and emotional depth at the same time.
Joining her in the cast are:
- Justin Chien, known from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Alexis Louder, recognized for Copshop
- Frank Crim, known for Dexter
The producing team includes Thang Ho and T.C. Barrera, Kanell’s partners at HOCA Studio. Also producing is Ahbra Perry, Vice President of Chroma, who is representing the film’s distributor interests as part of the label’s mission to spotlight distinctive independent genre voices.
Why De Novo matters in the indie sci-fi market
De Novo is one of three genre projects being brought to the American Film Market by Narrative Global Sales, a newly launched sales firm operating in the U.S. and UK. The title falls under the company’s genre label, Chroma, which appears focused on curating bold, original work in horror, thriller, and science fiction.
That context matters. The independent genre market is increasingly competitive, and standout projects need a combination of concept, credibility, and market positioning to break through. De Novo appears to have all three:
- A high-concept premise built around simulation, science, and cosmic unease
- A respected executive producing team with strong genre credentials
- A sales strategy tied to a label actively promoting distinctive indie voices
For industry watchers, this makes De Novo more than just another post-production announcement. It is a signal that thoughtful, auteur-driven science fiction still has a strong lane in the marketplace, especially when paired with recognizable creative names.
Other projects launching alongside De Novo
Narrative Global Sales is also taking two additional genre films to market, helping frame the kind of company De Novo is keeping.
Father Figure
This project recently won Fantastic Fest’s 2026 Fantastic Pitches competition. Written and directed by Connor Martin and produced by Josh Farnsworth, the story follows a young couple whose elopement is derailed by a death cult intent on resurrecting the groom’s dead father.
Stabbiest Season
Written, directed, and produced by Jack McDermott, with Olivia Simon producing and Alex Williams executive producing, this film offers a more gleefully chaotic horror premise. A killer known as Anti-Claus turns a Christmas Eve gathering into a massacre, forcing partygoers to fight for survival.
Placed beside those titles, De Novo stands out as the cerebral sci-fi entry in a broader genre slate that mixes commercial hooks with indie sensibilities.
What to watch for next
As De Novo remains in post-production, the next major developments will likely include festival positioning, first-look imagery, a teaser, and distribution updates. Given the names now attached, the film may draw particular attention from genre festivals and buyers seeking elevated, conversation-starting science fiction.
If the final film delivers on its premise, De Novo could emerge as one of the more talked-about indie sci-fi releases on the horizon.
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In a crowded genre landscape, De Novo is already separating itself through concept and creative pedigree. With Jenna Kanell steering the film and Lilly Wachowski now aboard, De Novo looks like a smart indie sci-fi project worth following closely.
