Kristen Stewart's acclaimed feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, has secured U.S. domestic distribution with Forge, a boutique distributor, just months after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The deal underscores the growing role of indie, arthouse-focused outfits in delivering high-profile prestige projects to audiences outside the major studios. Forge has built a niche by championing selective titles and offering flexible release strategies, a model that many in the industry now see as a viable path for star-driven debuts and important festival titles. After Cannes this spring, industry insiders asked, what exactly is Forge and how will it fit into the film's release trajectory? The acquisition signals a broader shift in film distribution, where boutique distributors are increasingly trusted partners for filmmakers seeking tailored campaigns, festival-ready releases, and targeted regional debuts. The COVID-19 shutdown era forced creators to rethink the production and release process, and Stewart has noted that the pause gave her time to reflect on the project and her collaboration with the team. As a result, The Chronology of Water's rollout with Forge highlights a rising trend: boutique distributors playing a central role in distributing prestige indie titles from prominent filmmakers. For fans of independent cinema and distribution analysts alike, this development illustrates how agile, specialty firms are reshaping the landscape of modern film releases.