PickleJar Entertainment Group, Inc. (OTC Pink: PKLE), a live entertainment technology company, announced it is providing marketing technology and fan engagement capabilities for the feature film Sunflower Child, drawing on its integrated platform that connects radio, digital channels, and live venues. The film stars Gavin Casalegno (Amazon's "The Summer I Turned Pretty," The Unhealer) and rising talent Jennifer James (The Newspaper, Curiouser), who also wrote the screenplay. Sunflower Child is produced by Joseph Goldman for Double J Productions, in association with Nebel Productions and in collaboration with PickleJar Entertainment Group. The project has completed principal photography and is currently in post-production, with filming having taken place in the U.K., including at the historic Twickenham Studios and on location throughout London.
Sunflower Child marks the feature directorial debut of award-winning cinematographer Jamie Touche (Cerebrum, Trinou) and also features Daniela Norman ("Tiny Pretty Things," Cats), Muhannad Ben Amor (Disney+'s "Andor," Netflix's "Extraction"), and Maddie Close (BBC's "The Other Bennet Sister").
MSR Media International is handling worldwide sales and introduced the film to international buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin in February 2026. The team will continue building international distribution momentum at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, where they will engage with global distributors and territory buyers.
The Sunflower Child engagement represents a strategic expansion of PickleJar's growing content portfolio, including its nationally syndicated radio show PickleJar Up All Night, distributed via Local Radio Network partnerships, original programming, and artist development initiatives. In connection with the film's release, PickleJar will activate its integrated platform - including FanVivo, PickleJar Up All Night, and PickleJar Plus - to extend Sunflower Child's audience reach across radio, digital, and venue channels. Additional details regarding PickleJar's integrated marketing and fan-activation campaign for Sunflower Child will be announced in the coming weeks, in connection with the film's continued international distribution push.
"This collaboration reflects PickleJar's commitment to expanding beyond core technology and into supporting original content that resonates with audiences," said Kristian Barowsky, President and Co-Founder of PickleJar Entertainment Group. "Film is a natural extension of our entertainment ecosystem. With Sunflower Child, we're working alongside exceptional creative talent and positioning PickleJar in connection with a project of strong international market appeal. For our shareholders, this represents another step in building a diversified entertainment company with multiple revenue streams and content touchpoints."
Caught between the promise of Hollywood fame and the corruption of her artistic voice, a young screenwriter (James) unexpectedly falls for an aspiring director (Casalegno). Together, they come face to face with betrayal, the cost of success, and the choice between the wrong version of a dream and following your heart. "This project became one of those rare experiences that took on a life of its own, unfolding in unexpected and beautiful ways," said writer and lead Jennifer James. "I set out to tell a story I ultimately realized I had to fully live before I could share it. The result is an anthem for authenticity, for indie filmmakers, and what it really takes to get a foot in the door."
"Sunflower Child is the culmination of a five-year collaboration with Jennifer and Double J Productions," said director Jamie Touche. "I'm overjoyed that my directorial debut has love at its core - both a love for the work itself and for the people around us." "We are thrilled to represent Sunflower Child, a film that exudes authenticity and heart," said Karinne Behr of MSR Media International. "It's a story that we believe will truly connect with audiences everywhere."
Gavin Casalegno most recently starred as Jeremiah Fisher in Amazon's hit series "The Summer I Turned Pretty," based on Jenny Han's bestselling novels. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in Darren Aronofsky's Noah alongside Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Anthony Hopkins, and played the young Damon Salvatore in "The Vampire Diaries." Next up, Casalegno will star in the YA romance film Chasing Red, Amazon MGM's thriller The Devil's Mouth, and is set to lead the feature film version of "The Summer I Turned Pretty."
Jennifer James is a writer, producer, and actress behind the acclaimed short films Blueberry Pancakes & Blank Pages and Curiouser. She has appeared on television in series such as "Peaky Blinders" and continues to develop original film and TV projects through Double J Film Productions. Daniela Norman gained attention for her role as June Park in Netflix's ballet drama "Tiny Pretty Things" and made her feature-film debut as Demeter in Cats (2019), appearing alongside Taylor Swift and James Corden. Muhannad Ben Amor is best known for his role as Wilmon Paak in Disney+'s "Andor" and appeared in Netflix's action-thriller series "Extraction." Maddie Close stars as Jane Bennet in the upcoming BBC series "The Other Bennet Sister." Jamie Touche is an award-winning cinematographer with over ten years' experience. His work has screened at BAFTA and Oscar-qualifying festivals worldwide, earning individual cinematography awards and two nominations for the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) Short Film Cinematography Award.
PickleJar's involvement in Sunflower Child is consistent with the Company's broader support of emerging independent filmmakers, including its sponsorship of the Nashville Film Festival in 2024 and the development of PickleJar Flix as a service in 2025. Jennifer James is the daughter of PickleJar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff James. In 2025, PickleJar made a £25,000 investment in the Sunflower Child production. The investment and the Company's ongoing platform engagement were reviewed and approved by the Company's independent directors on arms-length terms.
For more information, visit picklejar.com. View the original release on NewMediaWire.
