#FIRSTLOOK: “ROCKET FUEL” NOW IN PRODUCTION

Principal photography is underway in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on ROCKET FUEL, the debut feature film from genderqueer writer/director Jessie Posthumus. Shot entirely on 16mm film, ROCKET FUEL introduces actor Ryland Beitel (who portrayed Laura in Scarborough) in his first lead role, alongside the young cast of Molly Lewis (SurrealEstate), the Kosovic siblings William Kosovic (Sharp Corner) and Zoe Kosovic (The Smashing Machine), and Grayson Gallanders (The Way Home). The film is produced by Edge Entertainment with Game Theory handling distribution in Canada. US and international rights are currently available.

Based on Posthumus’ 2022 short film of the same name, ROCKET FUEL is a coming-of-age film set during the hot summer of 2005 in small-town Ontario where thirteen-year-old Nora (Ryland Beitel) balances her first job with the responsibility of caring for her younger brother and sister. Navigating themes of gender expression, class divisions, and the power of sibling friendship, ROCKET FUEL is a nuanced yet hopeful representation of queer childhood and the small but strong moments that shape who we become.

“ROCKET FUEL grants its characters—and by extension, its audience—the chance to explore gender as an empowering form of play and self-expression. This film is not about seeking validation from the world. It is about the internal process of realizing that you deserve to take up space, to explore, to dream. I’m especially grateful to have the opportunity to work with Ryland Beitel, who embraced and embodied Nora so beautifully,” said Jessie Posthumus.

ROCKET FUEL also marks Edge Entertainment’s first collaboration with The Trans Film Mentorship (TFM), a work-integrated training program for emerging trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirited community members. Led by Executive Producer and non-binary filmmaker Nancy Pettinicchio, the program selected three mentees from Sault Ste. Marie to participate in TFM’s first ever collaboration on a Northern Ontario production. Edge’s partnership with TFM has allowed the team to meaningfully engage with the local community by providing paid, on-set experience to queer film professionals.

“We at the TFM couldn’t think of a better project to launch our first program in Northern Ontario than Jessie Posthumus’s ROCKET FUEL. Two years ago, Jessie pitched their short film How’s Archie? at the Trans Film Summit’s inaugural Short Film Pitch Competition. We could see their immense talent and drive. It feels like a full circle moment to be working with Jessie and Edge on expanding the possibilities for trans creatives in Northern Ontario,” said Gabrielle Zilkha, Co-Founder of Trans Film Mentorship.

The cast is further bolstered by an accomplished group of Canadian performers including Travis Nelson (The Lake), Dylan Taylor (Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City), Fionn Laird (The Institute), Cotey Pope (Witches X), Lauren Beatty (Really Happy Someday), and Chris Sandiford (What We Do In The Shadows). Isabelle Stachtchenko (Universal Language) will serve as director of photography, and Craig Scorgie (In Flames) as editor.

ROCKET FUEL is produced by Rosalia Chilelli and Jennifer Pun of Edge Entertainment (Cascade) and is executive produced by Nancy Pettinicchio, Bruno Marino (High Star Entertainment), Haad Bakshi (Incolour Films), Hayden Baptise (Wandering Worx Entertainment), Daniel Shojaei (Ontario Camera), and Joe Serafini, Michael Forsey, and George Levai (Rolling Pictures Company North). The film was part of Inside Out Finance Forum and Festival du Nouveau Cinéma First Works Pitch. ROCKET FUEL is funded by Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, with the support from the City of Sault Ste. Marie, and in association with Game Theory Films who will distribute the film in Canada.

About Jessie Posthumus:
Jessie Posthumus is a genderqueer Canadian writer/director. Their short film ROCKET FUEL premiered at Palm Springs International Shortfest and screened at VIFF, FNC, FIN, Regard, and RiverRun. The film received the Best Short Film Award from Pendance Film Festival 2022. Posthumus’s latest short How’s Archie? screened at Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2025, Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival 2026, Festival du Film Canadien de Dieppe 2026, Korea Queer Film Festival 2026, and Palm Springs Short Fest 2026.

About Edge Entertainment:
EDGE Entertainment, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with operations in Toronto, San Diego and Isla Mujeres MX, produces original film and TV content and offers premier production services. Led by founders/producers Rosalia Chilelli and Jennifer Pun, EDGE creates globally relevant, emotionally driven stories, focusing on festival-driven cinema and bold genre storytelling that champions underrepresented voices. Their feature Cascade reached Netflix Canada’s Top 10 in 2023. EDGE producer credits include features The Witch, Giant Little Ones, Remember, The Void, Cosmic Dawn, and The Pond as well as series How to be Indie, and Connor Undercover, among others.

About Game Theory Films:
Game Theory Films is a boutique feature film distribution company based in Toronto, Ontario, established in 2018. Game Theory is committed to the strategic release of narrative and documentary theatrical feature films within the Canadian marketplace. Our catalogue includes award winning titles like Riceboy Sleeps, In Flames and Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person. With a small passionate staff, we offer a personal touch, and are available to our partners throughout the life of their films from development through release. Upcoming releases include Couture starring Angelina Jolie and The Weight starring Ethan Hawke.