London (UK): Internationally Acclaimed Canadian Independent Filmmakers The Butler Brothers will reportedly personally attend the World Premiere of their newest feature at one of the world’s most prestigious genre film festivals FrightFest 2026, STARSUCKERS.
Making its debut during FrightFest’s annual August Bank Holiday celebration running August 27–31, 2026,the film will be showcasedat ODEON Cinemas Leicester Square and West End in central London, before an additional screening at FrightFest @ the Arzner on Saturday, September 5.
Having quietly built one of Canada’s most prolific and diverse independent film catalogues over the past decade, The Butler Brothers through their production company, Substance Production, and distribution label, Tiny Cabin Pictures, have directed, written, and produced ten feature films while producing or executive producing five more.
Instead of limiting themselves to a single genre, the duo has developed a body of work that moves comfortably between psychological thrillers, horror, dark comedy, documentaries, drama, and experimental genre filmmaking.
Having screened internationally, their films reached audiences across the globe through platforms including Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Tubi, Hollywood Suite, Plex, Roku Channel, Revry, Fawesome, Xumo, and many others.
Known for acclaimed independent features including Purgatory Jack, The Last Anniversary, and Unfriending, the filmmakers have become recognized for creating ambitious, character-driven cinema outside the traditional studio system while maintaining complete creative independence.
Their latest feature, STARSUCKERS, may be their most biting work to date.
A funny and deeply unsettling satire, the film explores celebrity obsession, blind ambition, and the dangerous pursuit of status through the story of
Beginning as an enviable invitation, with the celebrity couple’s true intentions emerging, the story quickly descends into murder, manipulation, deception, and increasingly psychological games.
An ordinary couple, Chuck and Eileen win an exclusive weekend getaway with glamorous celebrity power couple Bjorg Everglow and Sasha Nightshade.
With bodies piling up and identities beginning to blur, STARSUCKERS transforms into a sharp examination of our cultural obsession with fame, asking just how much people are willing to sacrifice in exchange for the lives they dream about.
The film stars Manon Ens-Lapointe (The Last Anniversary), Steven Hobé (How Disney Built America), alongside exciting newcomers James Alex, Jersey Anderson, and Jacob Stickles.
“FrightFest has long been one of the festivals we’ve admired most,” said The Butler Brothers. “It’s a place that celebrates fearless filmmaking and audiences who embrace the unexpected. We couldn’t imagine a better home to introduce STARSUCKERS to the world.”
Having grown into one of the world’s leading showcases for horror, fantasy, thriller, and genre cinema, FrightFest founded in 2000 draws filmmakers, critics, and audiences from around the globe each year, the London festival has earned an international reputation for launching some of the most exciting independent films working outside the mainstream.
Additional festival appearances and release plans for STARSUCKERS will be announced following its World Premiere.
About Substance Production
An award-winning Canadian independent production company, Substance Production is dedicated to creating bold, original cinema across multiple genres.
With uncompromising hands-on approach to filmmaking, Brett and Jason Butler continue to demonstrate that internationally recognized independent films can be produced entirely outside the traditional studio system.
