Pete Ohs' 2026 Distribution Experiment #2: Erupcja (and Releasing an Indie Starring Charli XCX)

GG Hawkins continues No Film School’s 2026 distribution experiment with filmmaker Pete Ohs, focusing on the release of Erupcja, his Warsaw-shot microbudget feature starring Charli XCX, Lena Góra, Will Madden, and Jeremy O. Harris. Pete breaks down how the movie was made, how its TIFF premiere led to a deal with One Two Special, and what he learned from theatrical touring, Q&As, VOD timing, marketing assets, fan edits, and the emotional sustainability of releasing independent films.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Pete Ohs discuss...

• Making Erupcja in Warsaw, Poland, with Charli XCX and a small, experimental production model

• How SAG’s Global Rule One affected the budget of an international indie production

• Premiering at TIFF and navigating sales conversations with CAA and multiple distributors

• Why Pete chose One Two Special based on alignment, communication, and “vibes”

• Building a release around Q&As, theatrical events, and in-person audience engagement

• Creating playful marketing assets, including a zine, a voicemail phone line, and fan-edit materials

• Releasing trailer stems and encouraging remix culture around the film

• How theatrical box office expectations were framed for a movie made under $100,000

• The limits of relying on actors or stars to carry indie film promotion

• Why filmmakers should treat Q&As as another form of storytelling

• The idea of “regional filmmaking” and creating meaningful local releases

• Finishing and releasing projects as part of sustaining a long-term filmmaking practice

Memorable Quotes:

• “We went to Poland in August of 2024 for two weeks with half of an outline and shot the movie in order.”

• “If the numbers were better or the percentages were better, but the vibe was worse. I would have been suffering.”

• “The work doesn't end.”

• “Treat it as practice for storytelling.”

Guests:

• Pete Ohs

Resources:

• Erupcja on IMDb

• No Film School: How a Film Score Actually Gets Made (Step by Step) & Pete Ohs’ Distribution Experiment of 2026

• No Film School: Pete Ohs' 2026 Distribution Experiment #1: 'OBEX'

• No Film School: Pete Ohs Rethinks How We Make Movies

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