BIFA Nominee ‘The Shepherd And The Bear’ Gets U.S. Deal With Willa

EXCLUSIVE: The Shepherd And The Bear, the BFIA nominated documentary about the reintroduction of brown bears in the French Pyrenees, has secured U.S. distribution with Willa, and will be available on the Criterion Channel to stream in spring 2026.

Set in the French Pyrenees, The Shepherd And The Bear explores a conflict provoked by the reintroduction of brown bears in the midst of a traditional shepherding community. The film follows an aging shepherd who struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with tracking the bears. Deadline praised the film as “unforgettable and visually stunning”.

The U.S. theatrical release will kick off in early 2026 in both theater and non-traditional screening venues in mountain, rural and agricultural communities that intersect with the issues in the film. There will also be a qualifying run in NYC from November 21-27 for the Oscars, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Golden Globes, PGA Awards, and DGA Awards. Conic is distributing the film in the UK/Ireland and Jour2Fête is distributing the film in France.

The film premiered as the Closing Night selection at Camden International Film Festival and made its international debut at IDFA, where it was nominated for Best First Feature.

Directed by Max Keegan and produced by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (Boys State) alongside Elizabeth Woodward (The Fence), pic is edited by Sabine Emiliani (March of the Penguins) and supported by Impact Partners and Sundance Catalyst.

Willa is the U.S. distribution and production company led by Elizabeth Woodward. The company recently scored a coup by acquiring Tunisia’s Oscar entry The Voice Of Hind Rajab, another film it helped produce and then upped its commitment to distribution.

“At Willa, we are committed to amplifying nonfiction cinema that expands our understanding of the world and the forces shaping it. The Shepherd And The Bear is a deeply human, visually arresting meditation on tradition, resilience, and coexistence. We’re thrilled to partner with Criterion and introduce this remarkable debut to audiences nationwide,” said Elizabeth Woodward, Willa founder and CEO.

The film is a Salthill Films and Willa production, in association with Mile End Films, Impact Partners, Pinky Promise, with the support of Sustainable Films and Whitewater Films. Executive producers are Johannes Arver, Christine, Seth Woodhouse, Robina Riccitiello, Rick Rosenthal, Nancy Stephens, Andrea Van Beuren, Bill Reedy, Emily Reedy, Jenny Raskin, Jesse Burgum, Lauren Haber, Kara Durrett, and Kelsey Koenig.