Menemsha Films is adding a thoughtful, feel-good title to its North American slate. The distributor has acquired the rights to Ethan Bloom, an interfaith coming-of-age comedy from filmmaker Herschel Faber, best known for Cavemen. The film is now set for a spring festival rollout, followed by a theatrical release across North America.
A heartfelt story about faith, family, and growing up
At the centre of Ethan Bloom is 13-year-old Ethan (played by Hank Greenspan), who should be preparing for his bar mitzvah. Instead, he’s quietly questioning everything. Against the wishes of his widowed Jewish father, Ethan feels drawn to the Catholic church, where he finds unexpected comfort and guidance from Father Diaz.
Caught between belief systems, family expectations, and his own grief, Ethan’s journey becomes less about choosing one faith over another — and more about learning how to accept all the pieces of who he is.
Strong cast, fresh young leads
The film features a solid ensemble, including:
- Joshua Malina as Ethan’s father
- Rachelle Lefevre as an unconventional rabbi
- Carlos Ponce as Father Diaz
- Mindy Sterling in a supporting role
Leading the story are Hank Greenspan and Caroline Valencia, who many will recognise as the younger version of Selena Gomez from Only Murders in the Building. Together, the two anchor the film’s emotional core, including Ethan’s first brush with young romance.
Menemsha sees breakout potential
Menemsha Films’ Neil Friedman described Ethan Bloom as a rare coming-of-age story that explores faith and identity with warmth and humour, praising both the young leads and the experienced supporting cast for giving the film its distinctive voice.
The creators’ vision
Director Herschel Faber explained that the story was born out of the universal feeling of being torn between worlds — whether cultural, religious, or emotional. Co-written with Maylen Dominguez, the film aims to balance laughter and emotion while reflecting experiences many audiences can see themselves in.
Dominguez, an award-winning writer, and Faber also served as producers on the project through Fascination Media and Plato’s Daughter Productions.
What’s next
With festival screenings lined up and a theatrical release planned, Ethan Bloom is positioning itself as a small, character-driven film with big heart — the kind that tends to find its audience through word of mouth.
Final words
In a landscape crowded with high-concept spectacles, Ethan Bloom stands out by keeping things personal. Its focus on faith, family, and self-discovery — told through a comedic and compassionate lens — could make it one of the more quietly impactful indie releases of the year.
