Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to director Sheridan O’Donnell’s feature film debut, “Little Brother,” starring Daniel Diemer (“Under the Bridge”), Phillip Ettinger (“First Reformed”), Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”) and Polly Draper (“Thirtysomething”). The film is slated for a September 2024 theatrical release.
Little Brother begins after Pete (Ettinger) attempts suicide, prompting his abusive father Warren (Simmons) to recruit his younger brother Jake (Diemer) to drive Pete from Albuquerque to Seattle in order to interfere in the family's affairs. The brothers aren't just oil and water; they're fire and fuel – and both are trapped in a broken-down truck 1,400 miles away with nowhere to hide. As they cross the American West, the two struggle to reconcile their pasts and forge a new bond.
The film, which won the Audience Award at the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival, is deeply personal for writer-director O’Donnell, who was inspired in part by the death of his friend by suicide. “I wrote the film to capture their warmth and humor and try to understand their mental health journey, all of which I hope will connect deeply with viewers,” he said in a statement. “We are grateful to Gravitas Ventures for supporting the film and are thrilled to work with them to bring ‘Little Brother’ to audiences.”
“Gravitas is excited to bring Little Brother to audiences this September,” said Bill Gentzler, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Operations at Gravitas Ventures. “Director Sheridan O’Donnell has masterfully directed the film with Daniel Demmer and Philip Ettinger to capture the raw, honest and profound emotions that only two brothers with a deep love for each other can feel.”
Bill Gentzler of Gravitas Ventures negotiated the deal with Bill Strauss of Bridge Independent.
