Prior to Magenta Light Studio’s new disaster thriller Deep Water splashing into theaters nationwide on May 1st, the film will preview in Dallas at the 56th Annual USA Film Festival on Friday, April 24th. Director Renny Harlin, and producer Gene Simmons will be on hand to present the film. USA Film Festival will be announcing its full lineup of films and events next week.
The long-running, year-round USA Film Festival has an established history of celebrating films ranging from art-house fare to mainstream crowd-pleasers.
“We are honored to welcome two of our favorite artists, Renny Harlin and Gene Simmons to our stage to present their new film” said USAFF Managing Director Ann Alexander, “which should especially delight our audiences who have aerophobia, thalassophobia and galeophobia.”
Alexander added, “As Hollywood continues to contract, with audiences spending less time in theaters, Renny Harlin and Gene Simmons have given us a heart-pounding action film with Deep Water that not only plays on our universal fears, but also speaks to our common, human desire to root for the imperiled and stranded. A movie experience that is, of course, best enjoyed on the big screen in a theater full of fellow humans!”
Deep Water is directed by Renny Harlin and written by Pete Bridges and John Kim. The film stars Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Molly Belle Wright, Angus Sampson, Kelly Gale and Li Wenhan and is produced by Gene Simmons, Ying Ye, Neal Kingston, Grant Bradley, Dale Bradley, Adrián Guerra, Xavier Parache and Bob Yari.
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin has established himself globally as a filmmaker with the ability to identify and develop a wide range of material. His credits span multiple genres and include action-oriented blockbusters, horror films, comedies and critically acclaimed dramas including: The Strangers trilogy, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Cliffhanger, Deep Blue Sea, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 – The Dream Master, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Skiptrace, The Bricklayer, and episodes of “Burn Notice,” “White Collar,” “Covert Affairs,” and “Graceland.” In addition to his directing credits, Harlin has produced the films Rambling Rose, Speechless, and Blast from the Past and is the founder of Midnight Sun Pictures. In 2026, the prolific Harlin is expected to release three feature films: Deep Water, the action thriller The Beast starring Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman, and the action-adventure Black Tides starring John Travolta and Melissa Barrera.
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is a world-renowned rock icon and co-founder of KISS, the RIAA’s #1 gold record award-winning group. A formidable serial entrepreneur, he transformed KISS into a global merchandising powerhouse with over 5,000 licensed products. His career is defined by historic honors, including the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2026. A leading advocate for artist rights, Simmons is an integral partner with SoundExchange, recently championing the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) in Washington, D.C., to ensure fair compensation for all performers. His diverse business empire includes the Rock & Brews restaurant chain and the MoneyBag spirits line. A dedicated philanthropist and recipient of the 2025 World Smile Award, Simmons continues to bridge the worlds of entertainment and global industry, personifying the modern self-made mogul.
The 56th Annual USA Film Festival runs April 22-26, 2026 at the Angelika Film Center Dallas. Schedule and other information may be found at usafilmfestival.com.
