Magenta Light Studios Launches Magenta Edge Films, Acquires Fantastic Fest Standout Appofeniacs

Magenta Light Studios unveils Magenta Edge Films with the acquisition of Fantastic Fest breakout Appofeniacs.

Magenta Light Studios is officially expanding its footprint in the indie space with the launch of a new specialty label, Magenta Edge Films, and it’s kicking things off by acquiring one of Fantastic Fest’s most talked-about titles, Appofeniacs.

Positioned as a home for bold, filmmaker-driven storytelling across both theatrical and platform releases, Magenta Edge Films is being framed as a long-term commitment to original voices rather than trend-chasing content. Founder Bob Yari described the new label as a natural evolution for the company, emphasizing a deeper investment in distinctive independent stories and alternative release strategies that prioritize audience discovery.

The label’s first acquisition, Appofeniacs, arrives with strong genre credibility following its breakout reception on the Fantastic Fest circuit. Written and directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, the film explores the psychological and social fallout of AI-generated deepfakes spreading through a web of interconnected lives. Rather than leaning into sci-fi spectacle, the film grounds its tension in everyday situations, allowing paranoia, misinformation, and human insecurity to spiral into violent consequences.

Piliero has been clear that Appofeniacs isn’t an alarmist “AI takeover” narrative. Instead, it examines how fragile modern identity and trust have become in a hyper-mediated world. That focus on human behavior over technology aligns closely with Magenta Edge’s stated mission—stories that feel urgent, uncomfortable, and culturally reflective rather than conceptually flashy.

Industry executive Bill Vergos, who will lead Magenta Edge Films, developed the division with an emphasis on curated theatrical and digital releases, filmmaker partnerships, and audience engagement. The label plans to acquire a wide range of projects, including genre films, documentaries, and festival discoveries, with an eye toward sustainability rather than volume.

Appofeniacs features an ensemble cast including Aaron Holliday, Jermaine Fowler, Michael Abbott Jr., and Sean Gunn, and is slated for a theatrical release later this year, followed by a digital rollout.

The launch of Magenta Edge Films also signals a broader moment for Magenta Light Studios, which has recently backed high-profile genre titles including Strange Darling and Bride Hard. With upcoming releases like Protector and Deep Water on the calendar, the company appears to be balancing mainstream genre appeal with a renewed focus on risk-taking independent work.

If Appofeniacs is any indication, Magenta Edge Films is positioning itself as a label for filmmakers who want to provoke, unsettle, and challenge audiences—without losing sight of the very real human anxieties driving modern genre storytelling.