Mona Fastvold at AFI Fest 2025. Courtesy of Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Norwegian triple threat Mona Fastvold, with buzz growing around her latest film The Testament of Ann Lee, has signed with the London-based Magna Studios. The director-writer-producer's Amanda Seyfried-starring project, following the founder of the Shaker religious movement in the 18th century, premiered at the Venice Film Festival this year and was later acquired by Searchlight Pictures. Fastvold co-wrote the film alongside partner Brady Corbet, with whom she also wrote 2024's Oscar-winning hit The Brutalist. Fastvold has directed acclaimed drama films The Sleepwalker (2014) and The World to Come (2020), which received the Queer Lion award and a Golden Globe. Related Stories Movies A Woman Watches Her Parents Via Security Cameras in Her Childhood Home in 'Past Future Continuous' (Exclusive IDFA Trailer) Movies 'The Activist' Director on Challenging Stereotypes, the Far-Right's Surprising Modernity, and His Queer Trilogy "I've been looking for true partners who believe in me and my work, and Magna is exactly that," said Fastvold. "They've already shown such passion and enthusiasm for my ideas, and I'm looking forward to exploring new opportunities together - ones that challenge me creatively and bring bold original storytelling to audiences everywhere." She will extend her craft to multiple formats, said Magna, joining the team's roster of emerging and established voices, including James Marsh, Asif Kapadia, Oscar Hudson, Jeff Treamine, Phoebe Arnstein and Corbet. "We're so proud to welcome Mona," added Davud Karbassioun, co-CEO of Magna Studios. "We've long been admirers of her style and vision. The Testament of Ann Lee is one of the most extraordinary, original and beautifully crafted films I've ever seen and am excited for audiences to see it in theatres this holiday. She is a true artist, her style and approach lends itself to brand storytelling and she exemplifies our tastes and values. We're looking forward to locking arms on this journey together." Magna Studios, founded by Karbassioun and Marisa Clifford, operates from hubs in London, New York and Los Angeles. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Iran A Woman Watches Her Parents Via Security Cameras in Her Childhood Home in 'Past Future Continuous' (Exclusive IDFA Trailer) Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 'The Activist' Director on Challenging Stereotypes, the Far-Right's Surprising Modernity, and His Queer Trilogy Critics Choice Documentary Awards 'The Perfect Neighbor' Tops Critics Choice Documentary Awards Heat Vision Box Office Badass: 'Predator Badlands' Kicks Off November With Record $40M U.S. Opening, $80M Globally Oscars 2026 Croatia's Oscar Contender 'Fiume o morte!' Dives Into History for a Timely Study of Populist Autocracy Megalopolis Francis Ford Coppola's Belize Island Sells for $1.8M After 'Megalopolis' Financial Loss Iran A Woman Watches Her Parents Via Security Cameras in Her Childhood Home in 'Past Future Continuous' (Exclusive IDFA Trailer) Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 'The Activist' Director on Challenging Stereotypes, the Far-Right's Surprising Modernity, and His Queer Trilogy Critics Choice Documentary Awards 'The Perfect Neighbor' Tops Critics Choice Documentary Awards Heat Vision Box Office Badass: 'Predator Badlands' Kicks Off November With Record $40M U.S. Opening, $80M Globally Oscars 2026 Croatia's Oscar Contender 'Fiume o morte!' Dives Into History for a Timely Study of Populist Autocracy Megalopolis Francis Ford Coppola's Belize Island Sells for $1.8M After 'Megalopolis' Financial Loss