{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | image = California Scenario poster.jpg | caption = Festival poster | director = James Takata | producer = {{Plainlist| * Jhennifer Webberley * Jen Prince * Dara Resnik * Jon Huertas * Jennie Yamaki * Chloe Durkin * Carter Smith }} | writer = {{Plainlist| * Dara Resnik * James Takata }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * Will Yun Lee * Abby Miller * Jon Huertas * Brooklynn Prince * Minnie Mills * Jes Macallan * James Saito * Jean Yoon * Ellen Greene }} | music = Sidney Manansala | cinematography = Yasu Tanida | editing = {{Plainlist| * Jen Prince * Jhennifer Webberley }} | studio = Metamorfic Productions | distributor = | released = {{Film date|2026|02|7|Santa Barbara International Film Festival}} | runtime = 99 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross = }} '''''California Scenario''''' is a 2026 American independent drama film directed by James Takata and co-written by Dara Resnik.
==Premise== Divorced single parents Jacob Hara and Laura Acker search for truth in their diverse family narratives, and at Isamu Noguchi's timeless sculpture garden, find each other.
==Cast== * Will Yun Lee as Jacob Hara * Abby Miller as Laura Acker * Jon Huertas * Brooklynn Prince as Phoebe * Minnie Mills as Lexi * Jes Macallan as Kelly * James Saito as Bill * Jean Yoon as Nancy * Ellen Greene as Renee * Emmylou Diaz as Anna * Jack Stuart as Jack * Zhaleh as Stephanie * Dove Meir as Michael * Reema Zaman
==Production== In February 2025, principal photography wrapped at the Isamu Noguchi's garden in Costa Mesa, California, with Yasu Tanida serving as the cinematographer, which marked this project as the first and only film to be shot at that location. James Takata directed and co-wrote an independent drama film with Dara Resnik, with Will Yun Lee, Abby Miller, Jon Huertas, Brooklynn Prince, Minnie Mills, Jes Macallan, James Saito, Jean Yoon, Ellen Greene, Emmylou Diaz, Jack Stuart, Zhaleh, Dove Meir, and Reema Zaman rounding out the cast.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rosy |last=Cordero |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/california-scenario-film-cast-1236301528/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |accessdate=February 6, 2026 |title=Will Yun Lee, Abby Miller, Jon Huertas & Brooklynn Prince To Headline Indie Feature 'California Scenario' From Dara Resnik & James Takata |date=February 25, 2025}}</ref> In February 2026, the film was revealed as a line-up for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mia |last=McNiece |url=https://www.goldderby.com/film/2026/2026-santa-barbara-film-festival-reveals-full-lineup/ |website=Gold Derby |accessdate=February 6, 2026 |title=Jessie Buckley to be feted at the Santa Barbara Film Festival: All the details |date=February 3, 2026}}</ref>
==Release== ''California Scenario'' premiered at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 7, 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Santa Barbara International Film Festival Pocket Guide |website=Santa Barbara International Film Festival |access-date=February 6, 2026 |url=https://sbiff.org/wp-content/uploads/2026pocketguidev7.pdf}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|tt35473596}}
Category:2026 American films Category:2026 drama films Category:2026 independent films Category:2026 English-language films Category:American drama films Category:American independent films Category:Films set in California Category:Films shot in California