Tubi and Hartbeat launch creator-to-Hollywood film pipeline

Fox's free streamer Tubi is partnering with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat on four original films starring digital creators, marking the first exclusive production deal for its "Tubi for Creators" program. The pact is designed to build a direct pathway for online talent to produce and star in feature films for a mass audience.

• From streams to screams: The first two films announced are the supernatural thriller Sundown and the satirical horror-comedy 85 South: Dead End. Sundown, from creator Kinigra Deon (who also writes, directs, and stars), centers on a group of Black college students whose road trip takes a dark turn into a hostile town where local legends prove to be terrifyingly true. 85 South: Dead End features the popular podcast trio DC Young Fly, Chico Bean, and Karlous Miller on a road trip that goes off the rails.

• From library to limelight: The deal signals a strategic shift for Tubi's creator program. After launching in June with a focus on licensing existing content from high-profile names like MrBeast and CelinaSpookyBoo, the platform is now moving from simply stocking its library to bankrolling feature film debuts from the ground up.

The partnership provides a new blueprint for FAST services to compete for younger audiences. By financing films for creators with massive built-in fanbases, Tubi can de-risk its investment in original content and tap into a promotional engine that traditional film marketing can't replicate. The announcement drew wide attention from entertainment trades like Variety and consumer-focused outlets such as Cord Cutters News, with TheWrap also covering the pact.