Entertainment
Food Truck: Stolen Love… and Moo Deng Heads to Select U.S. Theaters Before Netflix Debut
Food Truck: Stolen Love and Moo Deng opens March 20 in select U.S. theaters before its global Netflix premiere later in 2026. Here’s what to know.
An international comedy adventure is making a quick stop in U.S. theaters before heading to Netflix worldwide later this year. Food Truck: Stolen Love… and Moo Deng opens March 20 in select U.S. markets, giving moviegoers a chance to catch the film on the big screen ahead of its global streaming release.
According to Monarchs Screen Entertainment, the limited theatrical rollout includes cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Boston, with tickets already on sale. The early response appears strong. Scott Kennedy, founder and CEO of Falling Forward Films, said tickets are moving quickly in several key markets.
What the film is about
The story follows a wild road trip involving three friends, a runaway Korean boy, and a famous baby hippo, all traveling together in a Thai food truck. As the group moves through a fast-paced mix of humor, danger, and hidden truths, a young mother is in a race to find her missing son.
The film blends comedy and adventure with a more emotional core, leaning into themes of friendship, family, and the unexpected bonds that can form under pressure.
Cast and release details
The movie stars Korean singer and actress Yulee Choi in her debut film role, joined by Thai star Mario Maurer and Chun Padchun Hiranprateep. The production also includes Tony Sarandos and Keyun “Country” Parker of Parker’s Communication & Entertainment Services as consulting producers.
After the theatrical run, Food Truck: Stolen Love… and Moo Deng is set to launch globally on Netflix later in 2026, expanding its reach to international audiences.
Why it stands out
What makes this release worth watching is its cross-cultural setup and offbeat premise. A Thai food truck, an international cast, a runaway child, and a baby hippo is not a combination audiences see every day. That unusual mix could help the film stand out in both theaters and on streaming.
For viewers looking for something lighter but still grounded in emotional stakes, this one may be worth adding to the watchlist.For more information, visit www.foodtruckthemovie.com
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The Entertainment section on STM Daily News covers the stories, trends, and moments shaping film, television, music, and pop culture.
New hybrid event aims to give grieving audiences meaningful holiday viewing, with films from more than 25 countries and a mission centered on love, loss, and emotional truth.
A new film festival debuting in late 2026 is taking a different approach to holiday entertainment. Grief Fest™: The Grief Film Festival, created by My Grief Angels Inc., is being introduced as what organizers believe is the world’s first film festival dedicated entirely to grief, remembrance, resilience, and healing.
The hybrid festival will run in two segments: November 25–29, 2026, during Thanksgiving week, and December 24, 2026, through January 3, 2027, during Christmas and New Year’s. Top Honors films will be announced on December 31, 2026.
Organizers say the timing is intentional. Research cited in the announcement shows that grief and loneliness are major holiday stressors for many Americans, making the season especially difficult for people coping with loss. In that context, Grief Fest™ is positioning itself as an alternative to the flood of traditional feel-good holiday programming.
The festival is open to short films, features, documentaries, experimental work, AI-generated projects, and VR experiences. It is described as inclusive, non-religious, and LGBTQ+ friendly, with submissions already received from more than 25 countries. All films will be presented in English, either spoken or subtitled.
Grief Fest™ will be available both in person and virtually through Film Festival Plus, making it accessible to audiences worldwide. The launch of GriefFest.com also includes Lumen, a multilingual AI guide designed to help filmmakers and attendees navigate the festival in their preferred language.
Rather than focusing on industry prestige, organizers say the festival is centered on community and emotionally honest storytelling. For audiences who feel unseen during the holidays, Grief Fest™ is aiming to offer something rare on the seasonal screen: recognition.
Source: PR Newswire
Related Reading
- Grief Fest: Official festival site
- My Grief Angels Inc.: About the nonprofit behind the festival
- Film Festival Plus: Virtual access platform
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anime
Bible Anime Series in Development at Texas Studio With Global Faith-Based Ambitions
A Texas animation studio is developing a TV-MA Bible anime series, blending faith-based storytelling with cinematic anime for global streaming audiences.
Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
A Fort Worth animation company is betting that faith-based storytelling and anime can meet in a way that feels cinematic, serious, and built for modern streaming audiences.
History In Motion Studios has announced Shinjitsu Ugoki (Truth Movement), a TV-MA Bible anime series now in development. The Texas-based studio says the project is designed for mature audiences and will present biblical narratives through serialized storytelling, theological research, and character-driven drama.
The announcement places the studio at the intersection of two growing markets: faith-based entertainmentand the global anime industry. Rather than aiming for a traditional family format, the series is being positioned as a more intense, long-form production shaped by conflict, consequence, and spiritual tension.
History In Motion Studios is also using Unreal Engine as part of its production pipeline to support cinematic world-building and high-fidelity environments. Script development, early character design, and broader production planning are underway through 2026.
Founder Edith Alvarado said the studio sees a major opportunity in bringing biblical storytelling into anime.
“As audiences continue to seek meaningful, story-driven content, we believe there is significant opportunity within the anime format to engage biblical narratives with depth and seriousness,” Alvarado said. “The question isn’t whether biblical stories belong in anime, it’s why it took this long. We’re here to change that; Anime will know the story of Jesus.”
The women-led Christian studio operates out of Fort Worth, adding to the growing list of independent creative companies building outside traditional entertainment hubs. As of Q1 2026, the series remains in active development, with more partnership and expansion announcements expected later this year.
Related Links
Source: History In Motion Studios
STM Daily News’ Entertainment section delivers the latest on movies, television, music, pop culture, events, and industry buzz. From breaking news and trending stories to feature coverage and community-centered entertainment reporting, it keeps readers connected to what’s happening on screen, on stage, and beyond.
MINNEAPOLIS — The powerful new documentary Come Talk to ME is set to make its big-screen debut at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF), marking a significant milestone for the independently produced film centered on Parkinson’s disease, communication, and human connection.
The 2026 festival, running April 8–19, will feature more than 200 films from around the world. Come Talk to ME is scheduled for two screenings, including a meaningful premiere on April 11—World Parkinson’s Day—followed by a second showing on April 14. Both screenings will take place at the Main Cinema at Saint Anthony Main in Minneapolis.
A Story About Communication and Connection
Directed by Deacon Warner and produced by Jackie Hunt Christensen, the documentary follows Christensen, her husband Paul, and a close-knit group of friends living with Parkinson’s disease.
The film explores how communication evolves as the disease progresses, highlighting the creative and deeply human ways individuals maintain relationships—with family, friends, and healthcare providers—even as traditional speech becomes more challenging.
Christensen, diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 34, emphasizes that the film is ultimately about preserving connection:
“Having Parkinson’s does not mean that you stop loving, caring, and feeling… communication is everything.”
Innovative Use of AI Voice Technology
One of the film’s most groundbreaking elements is its use of AI-generated narration powered by ElevenLabs.
The filmmakers recreated Christensen’s voice using archival audio recorded shortly after her diagnosis in 2000. This AI-generated voice—nicknamed “JHC2K”—serves as the primary narrator, allowing Christensen to “speak” throughout the film in a way that would otherwise be difficult due to the progression of Parkinson’s.
Director Warner called the experience both innovative and deeply personal:
“To be part of [MSPIFF’s] rich history… while also utilizing cutting-edge AI technology to set us apart from other films is incredible.”
Festival Screenings and Accessibility
Come Talk to ME will screen twice during the festival:
- Saturday, April 11 (World Parkinson’s Day) – Early afternoon (time TBD)
- Tuesday, April 14 – Late afternoon (time TBD)
Ticket pricing:
- MSP Film Society Members: $11
- General Admission: $17 (+ online fee)
- Students: $10 (with ID)
In a move aligned with the film’s mission, the April 11 screening will offer free admission (donation-based) for individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease.
The venue also provides limited wheelchair seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
A Film Seeking Broader Impact
Beyond its festival debut, Come Talk to ME is actively seeking sponsors to expand its reach and impact. The filmmakers hope to bring the documentary to wider audiences, particularly within communities affected by Parkinson’s disease.
At its core, the film delivers a powerful message: even as physical abilities change, the need for connection—and the human drive to communicate—remains constant.
Why This Film Matters
As awareness of Parkinson’s disease continues to grow, Come Talk to ME stands out as both an emotional narrative and a technological milestone. By combining personal storytelling with AI innovation, the film offers a new way to understand life with Parkinson’s—and the enduring importance of being heard.
Source and Related Links
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) Official Site
- MSP Film Society Official Website
- World Parkinson’s Day – Official Information
- Parkinson’s Foundation – Resources & Support
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
- ElevenLabs – AI Voice Technology Platform
STM Daily News’ Entertainment section delivers the latest on movies, television, music, pop culture, events, and industry buzz. From breaking news and trending stories to feature coverage and community-centered entertainment reporting, it keeps readers connected to what’s happening on screen, on stage, and beyond.
