Toronto-based distributor levelFILM has acquired Canadian rights to the action thriller Hair of the Bear.

Principal photography on the film is now underway in Lac Du Bonnet, Man., and will shoot through to the end of February.

Hair of the Bear is co-written and co-directed by Alexandre Trudeau and James McLellan, and marks both of their narrative feature debuts.

The film follows a teenager, played by Malia Baker (The Baby-Sitters Club; pictured left), who must survive in the Canadian wilderness after witnessing a murder. Roy Dupuis (The Barbarian Invasions; pictured right) also stars.

Juliette Hagopian of Winnipeg’s Julijette is producing the film alongside Trudeau – who is producing under the banner Same Adventure Productions – and McLellan, in association with levelFILM.

Distribution rights for Hair of the Bear are still available outside of Canada, according to a news release. The film is expected to be released in 2025.

Trudeau – the son of the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and brother of current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – is a documentary filmmaker, whose work includes The New Great Game and Embedded in Baghdad. McLellan’s previous work includes the 2014 short film Period Piece.

Images courtesy of levelFILM, photo of Roy Dupuis by Jocelyn Michel