A24's 'Martha' Directed by Ramy Youssef with Josh Safdie Co-Writing, Filming in New York Fall 2026

One of the most intriguing feature film packages to emerge from A24 in recent memory is quietly taking shape, and New York crew should take notice. Martha, a new feature directed by Ramy Youssef with Josh Safdie co-writing and producing, is currently in pre-production with principal photography scheduled to begin in New York this October 2026. Plot details are being held close to the vest, but the creative combination alone makes this one of the more anticipated indie productions on the horizon, and the early pre-production status means the staffing window is very much open right now.

Ramy Youssef is making his feature directorial debut with Martha, a significant step for a filmmaker whose talent has been impossible to ignore. Best known for creating and starring in the Hulu series Ramy, a semi-autobiographical comedy-drama that ran for three critically acclaimed seasons and earned him a Golden Globe, Youssef has quietly built an impressive directing resume behind the scenes. He directed multiple episodes of his own series and, notably, brought his sensibility to episodes of The Bear, one of the most talked-about productions in recent television. His path to this feature was reportedly shaped in part by his collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos on Poor Things, in which Youssef appeared as an actor. By all accounts, Lanthimos encouraged his transition into feature directing, which is the kind of mentorship that signals Youssef is approaching this project with real artistic seriousness. Josh Safdie, one half of the celebrated Safdie Brothers filmmaking duo responsible for Uncut Gems, Good Time, and Heaven Knows What, brings his own considerable weight to the project as co-writer and producer. Safdie's solo directorial debut Marty Supreme, a film about ping-pong legend Marty Reisman, also landed at A24, deepening his relationship with the studio. His presence here as a writer and producer rather than director is an interesting creative configuration, one that suggests Youssef is firmly at the helm while benefiting from a collaborator who knows how to build a propulsive, character-driven New York story.

A24 needs little introduction as the production company and studio behind Martha. Since emerging as a major independent force with films like Ex Machina, Moonlight, Hereditary, Midsommar, and Everything Everywhere All at Once, A24 has become the gold-standard brand for prestige independent cinema with genuine theatrical impact. Their productions tend to operate at the higher end of the independent budget spectrum, attracting serious talent both in front of and behind the camera, and their sets have a reputation for being director-driven creative environments. A24's commitment to bold, auteur-led projects makes Martha a natural fit, and the studio's track record of supporting first-time feature directors with real resources is well established. For crew, an A24 feature in New York typically means a legitimate union shoot with a competitive budget, serious creative ambitions, and the kind of project that looks excellent on a resume.

Production is set to begin in New York City in October 2026, and for local crew, that timing and geography are both very good news. New York remains one of the strongest production markets in the world, with a deep and experienced local crew base, world-class stage facilities at Steiner Studios, Silvercup, and others across Brooklyn and Queens, and a city infrastructure that has supported everything from massive studio tentpoles to intimate independent features. Given the Safdie Brothers' long history of shooting on the streets of New York in an immersive, location-heavy style, and Youssef's own New York-rooted storytelling sensibility, this production will almost certainly lean into the city itself as a location. A strong locations department will likely be central to the production's identity, and New York's film office infrastructure makes complex city permits more manageable than almost anywhere else. With a start date of October 2026, the production team is well into its early planning phase now, meaning department heads in key areas are likely beginning conversations with the production even if formal hiring is still months away.

Because plot details remain under wraps, it is difficult to assess the full scope of specific department needs. What can be said with confidence is that an A24 feature directed by Youssef and shaped by Safdie's sensibility will almost certainly demand a cinematographer capable of naturalistic, visceral work, a production designer who can render authentic New York environments with texture and specificity, and a costume department attuned to character-driven realism rather than spectacle. Given both filmmakers' track records, this is not a VFX-heavy production. It is the kind of project where performance, location, and craft are the visual language. The union status of the shoot has not been confirmed publicly, but given A24's scale and the New York location, an IATSE and SAG-AFTRA production is the reasonable expectation. No casting director has been announced yet, though that announcement, when it comes, will be closely watched by agents and talent managers given the caliber of the creative team.

Martha is precisely the kind of production that rewards crew who pay attention early. The creative pedigree is exceptional, the studio is best-in-class for independent film, and New York in the fall is a compelling shoot by any measure. Full production details including confirmed crew contacts, office addresses, and scheduling updates are being tracked in real time at ProductionList.com. If this project aligns with your department and your availability in late 2026, now is the time to get on the radar of the production. Check the full listing, bookmark it, and stay close to any updates as the creative team continues to assemble.

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