Charades Boards Paul Shkordoff’s European Basketball Drama ‘Import’ Ahead of AFM

Variety · 2026-10-27
Charades Boards Paul Shkordoff’s European Basketball Drama ‘Import’ Ahead of AFM

Paris-based sales company Charades has acquired international rights to “Import,” the debut feature from Canadian director Paul Shkordoff, ahead of the American Film Market. Shkordoff gained recognition when his short film “Benjamin, Benny, Ben” competed at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival. The screenplay for “Import” was co-written by Shkordoff and Frank Graziano, known for his work on the acclaimed drama “Murina.” Set against the high-stakes world of European basketball, the film is currently in post-production. American professional basketball player Jawaun Daniels, who has played in leagues across Europe, makes his acting debut in a leading role. The project highlights the growing trend of crossover talent between sports and cinema, and Charades’ involvement signals strong international sales potential. With its blend of athletic realism and dramatic storytelling, “Import” is poised to attract distributors looking for fresh, character-driven sports narratives. As the AFM approaches, all eyes will be on how this buzzy title performs in the marketplace.