EXCLUSIVE: River Gallo, star and writer of Ponyboi, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, has inked a first-look deal with Fox Entertainment Studios for scripted television and motion picture projects.
Ponyboi, which received the Grand Jury Prize nom at the festival, served as the inaugural feature film produced under Fox Entertainment Studios’ new independent film label, Tideline. The pic in addition to Gallo, stars Dylan O’Brien.
Under the new pact, Gallo will develop and produce new, platform agnostic content across all television, streaming, and feature film genres.
“River is a fearless storyteller with a singular voice and a powerful point of view,” said Hannah Pillemer, Head of Scripted, Fox Entertainment Studios. “From the moment we began working together on Ponyboi, it was clear that River brings originality, emotional depth and creative ambition to everything they do. We’re excited to continue building together and to support River as they create new work for television and film.”
“I’m grateful to continue my creative relationship with Fox Entertainment Studios,” said Gallo. “Ponyboi was a deeply personal project, and the trust and support I found at Fox made it possible to tell that story without compromise. I’m excited to expand our collaboration and to keep creating bold, unexpected work together.”
Ponyboi took various accolades, including Best Narrative Feature at NewFest: New York’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival and Best Performance for Gallo at the Torino Film Festival, along with additional honors from organizations such as ReFrame, the New Jersey Film Critics Circle and LesGaiCineMad in Madrid. The film also received a 2026 GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release, further underscoring the cultural impact of Gallo’s work and storytelling.
Gallo is represented by CAA and Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich Goodell & Gellman LLP.