Chris J. Emery

Theatrical Release Strategist

Past Projects

They Who Surround Us 🇨🇦

Released: Aug 27, 2021 -- Troy Ruptash Productions

Synopsis: A Ukrainian farmer living in Alberta loses his wife in a tragic accident. Guilt and grief send him into an emotional spiral where mysterious and inexplicable events force him to relive traumatic incidents from his childhood in Ukraine.

7 locations on opening / 18 total runs / $35k total GBO
#2 film at Cineplex North Edmonton on opening week
Premiere and Record Box Office performance at filmmaker's hometown theatre in Vegreville, AB
National media coverage via PR partner

Ghostlight

Released: Jun 28, 2024 -- Renaissance Media/Independent Film Company

Synopsis: When a construction worker unexpectedly joins a local theater's production of Romeo and Juliet, the drama onstage starts to mirror his own life.

Platformed Nationwide Release
Strong word-of-mouth leading to 70+ engagements over 12-month period
A nearly $100k total GBO on a limited-release budget

Lesbian Space Princess

Released: Oct 31, 2025 -- Renaissance Media

Synopsis: A space princess is thrust out of her sheltered life and into a galactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens.

National Key Market Release
Pre-release support via strategic festival and influencer screenings
Filmmakers flown in for media interviews and screening Q&As
Heavy engagement with YouTube advertising and social media posting

Last of the Right Whales 🇨🇦

Released: Feb 20, 2022 -- HitPlay Productions

Synopsis: North Atlantic right whales are dying faster than they can reproduce. With unprecedented access to film the whale migration, Last of the Right Whales brings a message of hope about the most at-risk great whale on the planet.

Nationwide Eventized Release on World Whale Day with 25 locations
50+ engagements between event screenings, festivals, and group bookings; $30k total GBO
National media coverage via PR partner and Impact Producer

Godzilla Minus One

Released: Dec 1, 2023 -- Renaissance Media/Emick Media

Synopsis: A kamikaze pilot plagued by survivor's guilt seeks redemption when a giant monster he failed to kill is transformed by radiation from atomic bomb tests and lays siege to post-war Japan.

$385k opening wknd GBO on only 16 locations; expanded to wide release with 150+ engagements
Screened in IMAX, PLFs, DBOX, 4DX, ScreenX, and Black and White re-release
$3.5M total GBO + Godzilla 70th Anniversary Re-Release following year
Winner for Best Visual Effects at 96th Academy Awards

A Nice Indian Boy

Released: Apr 4, 2025 -- Renaissance Media/Wayfarer Studios

Synopsis: When Naveen brings his fiancé Jay home to meet his traditional Indian family, they must contend with accepting his white-orphan-artist boyfriend and helping them plan the Indian wedding of their dreams.

Platformed Nationwide Release
Strong word-of-mouth leading to 50+ engagements over 12-month period
$175k total GBO on a limited-release budget

Paying For It 🇨🇦

Released: Jan 31, 2025 -- Hawkeye Pictures

Synopsis: When an introverted cartoonist's girlfriend wants to redefine their relationship, he begins sleeping with sex workers and discovers a new kind of intimacy in the process. An adaptation of the Graphic Novel by Chester Brown.

High-performing 5-week run in Toronto
Travelling roadshow theatrical run with filmmaker appearances, 20+ engagements and $55k+ total GBO
Theatrical release profiled in article with Canadian Media Fund (link)

Light of the World

Released: Sep 5, 2025 -- Renaissance Media/Salvation Poem Project

Synopsis: Follows Jesus' life from ministry beginnings through crucifixion and resurrection, as seen through Apostle John's eyes.

Wide release with over 100 runs nationwide
Heavy engagement with faith-based audiences
Partnered with specialized media agency for grassroots faith-based groups

The Substance

Released: Sep 20, 2024 -- MUBI

Synopsis: A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that helps her create a younger, better version of herself.

Assisted booking team, provided advice and support for theatrical strategy
Managed classification, fulfillment, and collections as part of support
$2.5M total GBO with 200+ engagements over a seven-month period

The Island Between Tides 🇨🇦

Released Mar 7, 2025 -- Lonely Ghost Productions

Synopsis: A young woman follows a mysterious melody onto a remote tidal island. When she crosses back over at the next low tide, she emerges into a world where 25 years have passed.

Specialized BC-only release, expanded to limited Ontario release based on performance
#1 film for three weeks at Prince Rupert cinema, where film was shot
$25k total GBO with 10 engagements

Fight or Flight

Released: May 9, 2025 -- Renaissance Media/Vertical Entertainment

Synopsis: A mercenary takes on the job of tracking down a target on a plane but must protect that target when they're surrounded by people trying to kill both of them.

Wide release, 150+ runs on release
French language release; assisted with translation
Large marketing spend for YouTube, social posting, strategic trailer placement, and exhibitoin website.

Late Night with the Devil

Released: Mar 22, 2024 -- Renaissance Media/Independent Film Company

Synopsis: A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms.

Sleeper genre hit that overperformed at box office with a $500k total GBO
18 runs in key major markets on release, expended to 70+ engagements based on performance
Eventized re-release on June 6th at 6pm (666) at select locations

Widow Cliquot

Released: Jul 19, 2024 -- Renaissance Media/Vertical Entertainment

Synopsis: The story behind the Veuve Clicquot champagne family and business that began in the late 18th century.

Platformed Nationwide Release
Strong word-of-mouth leading to 40+ engagements over 12-month period
Coordinated with PR agency on influencer activation to promote release
A $150k total GBO on a limited-release budget

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