Ticket giveaway for delightful new film opening in Calgary on April 3

(AJNews) – Amanda Peet. Judd Hirsch. Andrea Martin. Bob Balaban. Alessandra Nivola and more.

A new character-driven indie feature rooted in sharp writing and standout performances arrives in Calgary this April, as Fantasy Life, the debut film from writer-director Matthew Shear, opens in select theatres across the city.

Distributed in Canada by Vortex Media, Fantasy Life begins its Calgary run on April 3, screening for a week at The Plaza Theatre, with additional showtimes at Landmark Cinemas 16 Country Hills on April 3, 5, and 8.

Set in New York City, the film follows Sam Stein (Matthew Shear), an anxious law school dropout whose life begins to unravel after losing his job. When he unexpectedly lands a babysitting role for his psychiatrist’s three granddaughters, Sam is drawn into the orbit of their family—particularly their mother, Dianne (Amanda Peat), a once-promising actress navigating a strained marriage and the quiet realities of a stalled career. What unfolds is a gently observed, emotionally layered story of longing, connection, and the fragile pursuit of purpose.

Working in a naturalistic, performance-driven style, Shear’s debut leans into the rhythms of everyday life, favouring character and tone over plot-heavy storytelling. The film draws on Shear’s own experiences and influences, echoing the kind of intimate, relationship-focused filmmaking associated with directors like Noah Baumbach, with whom Shear has frequently collaborated as an actor.

The film features a notable ensemble cast, including Amanda Peet, Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, and Holland Taylor. Peet’s performance as Dianne has been widely praised, marking a compelling return to a leading role.

Fantasy Life first premiered at the 2025 edition of South by Southwest, where it received both the Narrative Feature Audience Award and a Special Jury Award for Peet’s performance. The film has since screened at a range of international festivals, including the Chicago Critics Film Festival, Miami Jewish Film Festival, UK Jewish Film Festival, New York Jewish Film Festival, Jakarta World Cinema, and the Jewish International Film Festival.

While not explicitly centered on faith, Fantasy Life is shaped by a distinctly contemporary Jewish creative voice, with its characters inhabiting a familiar urban milieu that reflects the textures of modern Jewish life in cities like New York. At its core, however, the film’s appeal lies in its universal themes—uncertainty, ambition, intimacy, and the search for direction in early adulthood.