Gunpowder & Sky has acquired worldwide rights to “Prospect.”

The Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell directed the sci-fi Western had its world premiere at SXSW.

It centers on a teenage girl and her father who travel to a remote moon looking to strike it rich by harvesting a large gem deposit. Things don’t go as planned. The father and daughter are forced into a desperate fight to survive after they encounter hostile natives.

Gunpowder & Sky will release the film theatrically in the U.S. later this year through its sci-fi label Dust. Independent will handle sales outside the U.S. The London-based sales firm will screen the film for buyers in Cannes.

Floris Bauer, co-founder and president of Gunpowder & Sky, said the company’s move into sci-fi comes as the genre is uniquely positioned to reflect the zeitgeist.

“Science-fiction explores what it means to be human and where we’re heading as humans,” said Bauer. “We’re living in times where technology is accelerating at a faster and faster rate.”

“Prospect” stars Sophie Thatcher (“The Exorcist”), Jay Duplass (“Transparent”), Pedro Pascal (“Game of Thrones”), Sheila Vand (“24: Legacy”), Andre Royo (“The Wire”) and Anwan Glover (“The Wire”). The Realm, Depth of Field and Ground Control produced the film with Dan Balgoyen, Garrick Dion, Scott Glassgold, Matthias Mellinghaus, Andrew Miano and Chris Weitz.

“Prospect” sits alongside Nia DaCosta’s “Little Woods,” which stars Lily James, on Independent’s Cannes slate. It will also show buyers the first footage of Carol Morley’s “Out of Blue,” with Patricia Clarkson, Toby Jones, and James Caan.

The film will have its digital premiere on SingularDTV, a blockchain-enabled VOD platform. Dust’s slate includes “Bad Peter” with Frankie Shaw (“SMILF”), George Lucas’ student short film “Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB” and Robert Zemeckis’ student short film “The Lift.”

Endeavor Content negotiated the sale of “Prospect” on behalf of the filmmakers.