Renowned musician Bif Naked, along with talented actors Pamela Carolina Martinez and Joshua Odjick (known for their roles in "The Long Walk" and "Wildhood"), headline Javier Badillo's sci-fi comedy, "Lupe Q and the Galactic Earworms," which is currently being showcased to international buyers at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival.
Martinez shines as the titular Lupe, the fiery leader of a Latinx punk rock band who stumbles upon a startling discovery: her piercing musical scream alone holds the power to halt an impending alien invasion. Consequently, she and her fellow bandmates find themselves ensnared in a treacherous web, targeted by two feuding alien races bent on mutual annihilation, threatening to drag planet Earth into their cosmic cataclysm.
Armed with the unwavering support of Lupe's endearing, shotgun-wielding Abuela, portrayed by Wanda Ayala, as well as Pachi (played by Florence Boule-Moineau) and her glamorous, high-society mother Karen (Laurence Leboeuf), this motley crew embarks on a heroic quest to save the world from impending doom.
The stellar ensemble cast of "Lupe Q," which has commenced production in the bustling suburbs of Vancouver, boasts Bif Naked as the Buzkill DJ, alongside Odjick, Andreas Apergis, Lee Majdoub, Alessandro Juliani, and Panta Mosleh.
Badillo, a Venezuelan-Canadian film director, writer, and producer, co-wrote the script for "Lupe Q" with Nat Marshik. Produced by Spitshine Flicks, Holiday Pictures, and Filmoption Productions, the film will be released in Canada and handled for international sales at TIFF, catering to both English and Spanish-speaking audiences.
"Punk rock. Sinister space aliens. Young, blossoming romance. This is the underdog buddy comedy-space opera I've longed to create since my angst-ridden days as a Latin American kid, screaming into a microphone and cranking my guitar amp to its limit," Badillo exclaimed in a statement, reflecting on his personal journey. "Lupe Q" marks Badillo's second feature film following "Roads Of Ithriyah."
"We are thrilled to champion a project that amplifies diverse voices and resonates deeply with a new generation of audiences yearning for originality and authenticity," said Isabelle Legault, Filmoption's vp of distribution, in a statement. "We firmly believe that this exhilarating blend of music, queer identity, and extraterrestrial chaos will transcend borders, and we eagerly anticipate its global premiere through festivals in 2026, followed by a wide theatrical release in Canada."
"Lupe Q" is produced by Badillo, Martin Cadieux-Rouillard, Maya Cadieux-Rouillard, Michael Parker, and Shan Tam. Executive producer credits are shared by Paul Cadieux, Maryse Rouillard, and Kelly White.
