SISTER MARIA GOES TO ROME

Tempo are delighted to announce that Embankment has launched global pre-sales on Sister Maria Goes to Rome, the sophomore movie from director Frances O'Connor following her acclaimed debut, Emily. Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit, Last Night in Soho) stars alongside Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders, Euphoria). 

We are producing alongside Naomi Despres (Kill The Messenger, Lizzie) for Desmar and Guglielmo Marchetti producing for Notorious Pictures SpA in Italy. Michèle Marshall executive produces for Desmar Films. Embankment handles worldwide sales, co-representing US rights with WME Independent.

Pitched as captivating and feel-good. When Sister Maria (McKenzie), a spirited young nun with an unshakeable faith, arrives in Rome on a quest to save her beloved village, she clashes with a jaded tour guide (Wallace) who's lost his way. What starts as a delightful battle between wide-eyed idealism and world-weary cynicism blossoms into an unexpected friendship that proves ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they believe in each other. Together, they discover that when good people fight for what's right - hope triumphs, hearts change and miracles can happen!

"Rome has always been a city of possibility for me from my very first visit many years ago," says writer-director Frances O'Connor. "I wanted to create an uplifting and fun story for everyone that was about choosing hope, centred around this young nun who was irrepressibly positive. It has buoyed me immensely to create a world where ordinary people can triumph, and this Frank Capra quote inspired me: 'That's all I'm here for, really, to try to tell you that there's good in the world. And that it's wonderful.' I am so excited to bring this magical story to life next spring in Rome with Thomasin and Toby. Thomasin's work has a beautiful authenticity and emotional depth to it, while Toby is so instinctual and alive as an actor. I can't wait to see what they create together with these roles."

"Worldwide cinema audiences are craving warm-hearted, uplifting entertainment right now," says partner of Embankment Films, Hugo Grumbar. "Sister Maria will have people leaving the cinema with a skip in their step - her unadulterated positive view of the world is absolutely infectious. We're delighted to be working with Frances again on what promises to be a truly wonderful and inspiring movie."

Principal photography begins in spring 2026, with locations throughout Lazio and Rome.