Movies - Sketch: Angel Studios’ Wild Vision Comes to Life in HDR by Barco at CineEurope 2025

By Mulder, 13 june 2025

In what promises to be one of the standout moments at CineEurope 2025, Angel Studios will present a groundbreaking showcase of their upcoming feature film Sketch, directed by Seth Worley, using the revolutionary HDR by Barco format. This exclusive screening, slated for June 19, 2025, at the CCIB Auditorium in Barcelona, marks the first-ever studio presentation and full feature screening in this premium format at the convention. The choice of Sketch to lead this milestone moment is no accident—it’s a bold, colorful, and imaginative ride that thrives under the expanded visual palette of HDR by Barco. With its unmatched brightness, deep shadows, brilliant highlights, and nuanced contrast, the format doesn’t just support Seth Worley’s vision—it enhances it, elevating every hand-drawn monstrosity and heartfelt moment into visceral cinematic texture. Angel Studios' decision to bring Sketch to CineEurope through this format is a testament to their commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering not just stories that "amplify light," but experiences that redefine the act of watching a film.

What makes Sketch such a perfect match for this new era of visual storytelling is its origin in both emotion and imagination. Expanding upon his earlier proof-of-concept short Darker Colors, Seth Worley has crafted a feature-length debut that blends emotional resonance with cartoonish horror flair. Anchored by Tony Hale and D’Arcy Carden, the film follows a grieving widower and his children as their sleepy town is turned upside down—literally—when a magical sketchbook brings their crayon and chalk-drawn creations to vivid, monstrous life. While it could have been merely a flashy genre film, Sketch has a surprising emotional center. According to Victor Stiff from That Shelf, actors Belle, Lawrence, and Cox all shine in roles that balance heartbreak and hilarity. Tony Hale, often known for playing eccentrics, reinvents himself here as the emotional core of the film—a father desperate to reunite his fractured family in a town overrun by his daughter’s subconscious creations. D’Arcy Carden, as his no-nonsense sister, delivers what could be her most grounded and heartfelt performance yet, laced with sharp comedic timing.

The unique tonal mix of Sketch—described by Tony Hale himself as “a cross between Jurassic Park and Inside Out”—reflects a deeply creative team unafraid to take big swings. That ambition is underlined by the fact that the film will be the first feature presented by Angel Studios in the HDR by Barco format. With production by Steve Taylor, Tony Hale, and Dusty Brown, cinematography by Megan Stacey, and music by Cody Fry, the film is clearly a labor of love on every level. What’s particularly fascinating is how HDR by Barco enables the artistic vision to truly explode. The grotesque charm of waxy monsters and chalky phantoms feels tailor-made for the dynamic luminance of this tech. It’s a format that respects the chaos on-screen, while also clarifying every line stroke and creature contour, offering not just spectacle but clarity within the absurd.

But beyond the visuals and genre play, Sketch is also an emblem of Angel Studios’ evolving strategy. Built around a community-led funding model—where over 1.2 million guild members help decide which stories get told—Angel Studios has carved a niche in uplifting, values-based entertainment. And yet, Sketch isn’t sanitized; it’s funny, scary, weird, and deeply human. It acknowledges grief and loss, explores creativity gone awry, and, most impressively, does so in a manner that still feels suitable for families. This balance of depth and accessibility makes it a compelling poster child not just for HDR tech, but for the new type of content Angel is championing. At CineEurope, the studio won’t just be premiering this film—they’ll be unveiling an entire 2025 slate enhanced for HDR by Barco, giving attendees a taste of what might be a new gold standard in how indie and mid-sized studios approach theatrical releases in a post-streaming world.

This moment isn’t just a technical achievement or a corporate stunt; it’s a reflection of how the cinematic landscape is transforming before our eyes. With Barco's 2024 sales topping €947 million and its HDR format becoming a staple of premium cinema presentation, this collaboration with Angel Studios is more than a one-off—it’s a signal. Studios that care about theatrical impact are increasingly looking to elevate not just what they show, but how they show it. And films like Sketch, with their visually intense storytelling and emotional honesty, are exactly the kind of titles that benefit most from this shift. For filmmakers like Seth Worley, this is a dream scenario: not only getting to stretch his directing muscles in a larger arena, but seeing his most imaginative flourishes rendered with the kind of clarity and vibrancy most indie directors could only dream of.

With its international debut at TIFF’s 2024 Special Presentations program already setting a high bar, and its upcoming U.S. release set for August 6, 2025, Sketch is poised to be one of the year’s sleeper hits. It’s whimsical, it’s emotional, it’s chaotic—and above all, it’s a perfect match for the tools of tomorrow’s cinema. As CineEurope continues to champion innovation and collaboration, Sketch and its HDR by Barco showcase are leading the charge, reminding us that there’s still nothing like the theatrical experience when vision meets technology head-on.

For more information on HDR by Barco: https://hdrbybarco.com/

Synopsis : 
A father tries to recover from the loss of his wife when his daughter's cartoon drawings come to life and wreak havoc in their small town.

Sketch
Written and Directed by Seth Worley
Produced by Steve Taylor, Tony Hale, Dusty Brown
Starring  Tony Hale, D'Arcy Carden
Cinematography : Megan Stacey
Edited by Seth Worley
Music by Cody Fry
Production company : Morphan Time
Distributed by Angel Studios
Release dates : September 7, 2024 (TIFF), August 6, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 92 minutes