Heather Graham’s ‘Chosen Family’ Acquired by Brainstorm Media

Heather Graham‘s chosen family is growing.

The actress-turned-filmmaker’s latest big-screen effort, Chosen Family, has been acquired by Brainstorm Media for North America with a theatrical release set for Oct. 11.

Written, directed by and starring Graham, the Verdi Prods. film also stars John Brotherton, Ella Grace Helton, Andrea Savage, Michael Gross, Julie Halston, Thomas Lennon and Julia Stiles. Chosen Family follows a yoga teacher named Ann (Graham) who is on a path to find inner peace amidst the chaos of her manic family and miserable dating life. The situation is complicated by an inability to say no and her relentless desire to fix everyone’s problems. She also struggles to save her sister Clio (Stiles) from addiction, leading to disastrous results.

Graham said she can’t wait for audiences to see her film, which she describes as a labor of love. “I’m so excited that Brainstorm is releasing my movie Chosen Family in theaters,” she continued. “It feels so empowering to tell a story from a female perspective that is both funny and heartfelt, while also dealing with some important social issues. I’m grateful for the amazing cast and team of people that brought the movie to life.”

Added Brainstorm Media CEO Michelle Schwarzstein: “Heather Graham showcases her incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera. We can’t wait to release this authentic and funny film. Audiences are in for a real treat.”

Graham, Chad A. Verdi, Andre Relis, Michael Nickles, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Anthony Gudas and Chris Collins produced the film with Jessica Bennett serving as an executive producer. The project enjoyed a festival run earlier this year with screenings at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Miami Film Festival, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and the San Diego International Film Festival. The Chosen Family deal was negotiated by Chad A. Verdi of Verdi Prods., Relis, who serves as CEO of VMI, and Alex Peters of Brainstorm Media.

Brainstorm Media released Hannah Pearl Utt’s SXSW comedy Cora Bora starring Meg Stalter and Manny Jacinto; Shane Atkinson’s Laroy starring Steve Zahn and John Magaro; the Ivan Sen-directed crime drama Limbo with Simon Baker; the SXSW grand jury winner Raging Grace from filmmaker Paris Zarcilla; and Sara Zandieh’s romantic comedy The Other Zoey with Josephine Langford and Drew Starkey. The company recently acquired the Edie Falco-starrer I’ll Be Right There from director Brendan Walsh. Up next: Brainstorm will release Daniel Kokotajlo’s Starve Acre starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark.

After a long and successful career in front of the camera as an actress (that is still ongoing), Graham expanded her Hollywood pursuits by making the transition behind the camera. She made her feature directorial debut on 2018’s Half Magic, which she also wrote, directed and co-starred in alongside Angela Kinsey, Stephanie Beatriz, Johnny Knoxville, Chris D’Elia and Molly Shannon, among others. Chosen Family marks her second film. She next stars in Place of Bones.