CHOSEN FAMILY Trailer (2024) Heather Graham, Julia Stiles

CHOSEN FAMILY Trailer (2024) Heather Graham, Julia Stiles

CHOSEN FAMILY Trailer (2024) Heather Graham, Julia Stiles
© 2024 - Brainstorm Media

"You sleep in the same bed with Anne? Ewww." Brainstorm Media has revealed an official trailer for a fun romantic comedy called Chosen Family, the second feature film directed by actress Heather Graham. She also wrote the screenplay for this one and produces and stars in it. Graham made her feature directorial debut with the 2018 comedy Half Magic and has been appearing in various films recently but this is only the second time she has directed. Yoga teacher Ann cannot escape her manic family, miserable dating life, and inability to say "no" to anyone else, leaving her constantly trying to fix everyone else's problems. But can she finally put herself first when a new love walks into her life? She falls for a hunky new divorced father but must also battle her 7-year-old daughter for affection. Starring Graham as Anne, with John Broherton as Steve, Andrea Savage, Michael Gross, Julie Halston, plus Thomas Lennon and Julia Stiles as her sister. This looks super sweet and generic and cliche but people will keep watching these romcoms anyway.

Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Heather Graham's film Chosen Family, direct from YouTube:

Chosen Family Poster

Ann (Heather Graham) is a yoga teacher struggling to achieve inner peace despite the fact her family is driving her crazy & her dating life is miserable. She doesn't know how to say no & wants to fix everyone's problems. In the meantime, Ann struggles to save her sister Clio (Julia Stiles) from addiction to disastrous results. With so many expectations on her, Ann leans on her good friends Max, Frances, Roz, and Ella for support. They in turn set her up with a cute divorced dad Steve, who has an adorable 7 year old daughter. When Ann meets Steve's daughter Lily, she is immediately smitten. But Lily does not feel the same, and as Steve and Ann get closer, Lily grows increasingly jealous and competitive. When Lily starts to misbehave, Ann sees that Lily can do no wrong in Steve's eyes – she's in the battle of her life with a 7 year old. Chosen Family is written and directed by the American actress / filmmaker Heather Graham, her second feature after directing Half Magic previously. Produced by Chad A. Verdi, Andre Relis, Michael A. Nickles, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Heather Graham, Anthony Gudas, & Chris Collins. Brainstorm Media will release Chosen Family in select US theaters + on VOD starting October 11th, 2024 this fall. Funny stuff?
Chosen Family

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Heather Graham
Written by Heather Graham
Produced by
Chad A. Verdi
Michelle Verdi
Chad Verdi Jr.
Andre Relis
Michael Nickels
Paul Luba
Anthony Gudas
Starring
Heather Graham
John Brotherton
Andrea Savage
Michael Gross
Julie Halston
Thomas Lennon
Julia Stiles
Cinematography Steven Fierberg
Production
company
Verdi Productions
Distributed by Brainstorm Media
Release dates
February 17, 2024 (Santa Barbara)
October 11, 2024
Country United States
Language English
Chosen Family is a 2024 American comedy-drama film, written and directed by Heather Graham. It stars Graham, John Brotherton, Andrea Savage, Michael Gross, Julie Halston, Thomas Lennon and Julia Stiles.

It had its world premiere at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 17, and is scheduled to be released on October 11, 2024, by Brainstorm Media.

Cast
Heather Graham as Ann
Julia Stiles as Clio
Thomas Lennon as Max
Michael Gross as Alfred
Andrea Savage as Roz
John Brotherton as Steve
Odessa Rae as Frances
Mark Famiglietti as Todd
Julie Halston as Dorothy
Sriram Emani as John
Ella Grace Helton as Lilly
Production
In May 2023, it was announced Heather Graham would direct, write, and star in the film, with Julia Stiles, Thomas Lennon, Michael Gross, Andrea Savage, John Brotherton, and Odessa Rae also joining the cast.[1][2]

Principal photography concluded by June 2023, in Rhode Island.[3][4]

Release
It had its world premiere at the 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 17, 2024.[5] In August 2024, Brainstorm Media acquired distribution rights to the film, setting it for an October 11, 2024, release.[6]

References
Ritman, Alex (May 15, 2023). "Cannes: VMI Boards Heather Graham Rom-Com 'Chosen Family,' Unveils First-Look Image (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
Brew, Caroline (September 26, 2023). "Verdi Productions Gears Up to Release 'Junction,' 'Knockout Blonde,' Heather Graham's 'Chosen Family' in 2024 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
"Heather Graham's Romantic Comedy "Chosen Family" Wraps in Ocean State". Rhode Island. June 28, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
Loesch, Cailin (June 29, 2023). "Heather Graham's Romantic Comedy 'Chosen Family' Wraps In Rhode Island". Patch Media. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
Thompson, Jaden (January 16, 2024). "'Madu' to Open Santa Barbara International Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
Gardner, Chris (August 6, 2024). "Heather Graham's 'Chosen Family' Acquired by Brainstorm Media". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
External links
Chosen Family at IMDb
Categories: 2024 filmsAmerican comedy-drama filmsFilms shot in Rhode Island2020s American films2024 comedy-drama films2020s English-language filmsEnglish-language comedy-drama films
Heather Graham is embarking on a new path toward self-care and love in Chosen Family.

The actress and filmmaker wrote and stars in the new romantic dramedy, which also marks her second feature-film directorial project after 2018's Half Magic.

Chosen Family follows yoga teacher Ann (Graham), who "cannot escape her manic family, miserable dating life, and inability to say no, leaving her constantly trying to fix everyone else's problems," a synopsis states. "But can she finally put herself first when a new love walks into her life?"

Speaking about the film, which PEOPLE is premiering the trailer for exclusively, Graham, 54, says it "was a labor of love" that "took a pretty long time to get made."

"It's kind of a journey of this woman who's kind of a people-pleaser and she thinks she's supposed to take care of everyone else, and that will make her happy," she continues. "Then she realizes that she has to take care of herself and go where the love is. And it's about how sometimes your friends are really your family."

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Heather Graham and Julia Stiles in Chosen Family
Heather Graham and Julia Stiles in Chosen Family. Brainstorm Media
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In the trailer, Ann meets Steve (played by Fuller House star John Brotherton) and sparks quickly fly between them. But challenges arrive for Ann in the form of winning over his young daughter Lilly (Ella Grace Helton) — and clashing with her much-different sister Clio (Julia Stiles).

Near the end of the trailer, Clio tells Ann while they're in front of a crowd outdoors, "Yoga sucks," attempting to get those gathered around more into something she dubs "punch-ilates."

The women are soon rolling around on the floor, after Ann pushes Clio and the latter punches her older sister in the face.

But things appear to be all okay in the end as Ann asks Steve, "You still wanna hang out with me after all that?", before they share a passionate kiss.
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John Brotherton and Heather Graham in Chosen Family
John Brotherton and Heather Graham in Chosen Family. Brainstorm Media
Heather Graham Opens Up About Moving Out of Family Home in High School and Becoming ‘Estranged’ from Parents
Chosen Family also stars Andrea Savage, Michael Gross, Julie Halston and Thomas Lennon. The movie is produced by Graham, Michael A. Nickles, Anthony Gudas, Chad A. Verdi, Andre Relis, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr. and Paul Luba, with co-producers David Gere and Chelsea Vale.

Chosen Family Poster Art
Brainstorm Media
Asked what drove her to want to write Chosen Family, Graham tells PEOPLE, "Growing up in a business, I just like seeing content made by women and movies where women are the protagonists, and stories that are empowering to women."

"And I'm not just out there trying to get someone to hire me," she adds. "I want to tell my own story that is hopefully empowering to women and men. I hope men find it empowering too ... just to tell something that mattered to me."

Chosen Family is in theaters and on demand Oct. 11.
VMI Worldwide has acquired Heather Graham‘s comedy “Chosen Family” and will shop the film to international buyers at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival market. Graham, who is best known for the “Hangover” movies, wrote, directed and stars in the film, about a yoga instructor navigating various relationship dramas.

The film will make its world premiere on the closing night of the Santa Barbara Film Festival on Feb. 17.

Graham plays Ann, a yoga teacher attempting to find inner peace despite her manic family and miserable dating life. Not knowing how to say no, she often ends up fixing everyone else’s problems. While trying to repair her relationship with her sister, Ann relies on her friends to guide her through life’s woes.

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Rounding out the cast is Julia Stiles, playing Ann’s estranged sister Clio, alongside Thomas Lennon, Andrea Savage, John Brotherton and Michael Gross.

“Chosen Family” marks the latest film from Verdi Prods., the Rhode Island-based outfit run by Chad A. Verdi (“The Irishman,” “Bleed for This”). The film’s release was initially put on hold given that the stars were unable to promote their work during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The film is now slated for release sometime in late 2024. Verdi Prods. released the film’s first trailer alongside the announcement.

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The film was produced by Verdi, Andre Relis, Michael Nickles, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Graham, Anthony Gudas and Chris Collins. J.D. Beaufils and Jessica Bennett are executive producing.

“In a male-dominated industry, we love supporting women,” Chad A. Verdi and Michelle Verdi said in a previous statement. “Heather’s drive, writing, directing and starring in this film has been wonderful to witness.”

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Watch the trailer below .

Read More About:
Chosen Family, Heather Graham, Verdi Productions
Heather Graham has been in the acting business for a long time — but not with the support of her parents.

"I was 17 when I did License to Drive," she says about the '80s classic with Corey Haim. Her career took off from there, and she's steadily worked over the past three-and-a-half decades in hits like Boogie Nights and The Hangover.

But the actress, now 52, recently opened up about her ultra-conservative parents being displeased with her chosen profession, revealing they are no longer on speaking terms. She doesn't regret being honest about it.
"I mean, it is a little vulnerable to talk about in an interview," she tells PEOPLE. "And at the same point, I know that there's a lot of other people who are going through something like it, so I guess I just feel like being honest about my life and not pretending that everything is always fantastic."

She adds, "I'm okay just being who I am."

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HEATHER GRAHAM, LICENSE TO DRIVE, 1988
HEATHER GRAHAM in LICENSE TO DRIVE, 1988. Cinematic / Alamy
Heather Graham Explores Life and Love — and Gets Punched by Julia Stiles! — in Trailer for Chosen Family (Exclusive)
The actress is currently starring in the movie Chosen Family, which she wrote and directed. She says the idea of a chosen family — friends that love you no matter what — hit close to home for her.

She told The Wall Street Journal in August that her dad hated Hollywood. “He regularly told me that the entertainment industry was evil and that Hollywood would claim my soul,” she told the outlet.
Graham tells PEOPLE she "didn't get into all the details in the article" about "reasons why I don't talk to them." She adds, "But I have very great, very wonderful friends. And so that is a really lucky thing to have in my life."
Heather Graham attends the Mediterrane Film Festival 2024
Heather Graham attends the Mediterrane Film Festival 2024. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
Heather Graham Opens Up About Moving Out of Family Home in High School and Becoming ‘Estranged’ from Parents
She's also pleased she got to tell a story about a woman, which is her favorite type of content.

"Growing up in this business, I always like seeing content made by women and movies where women are the protagonists, and stories that are empowering to women." she says, adding, "Hopefully men find it empowering too."

Despite her family estrangement, Graham says she's found a sense of peace in her life.

"This is the most exciting time I've ever had in my career," she says. "I'm making money doing what I love. I'm surrounded by love and support. I'm living in my dream house."

She also doesn't buy into the message that women in their 50s are unattractive or disposable. "It's sort of deciding that you're sexy, even if you know that the culture is trying to tell you whatever it's trying to tell you," Graham says. "It's just deciding that you feel fabulous and that you look amazing."

Chosen Family is in theaters and on demand Oct. 11.