Gravitas Ventures Acquires ‘Grassland’ Drama, Executive Produced by Common, for April Release (EXCLUSIVE)

Gravitas Ventures is set to release “Grassland,” a feature drama executive produced by Common, in April after acquiring U.S. and Canadian rights.

“Grassland” is William Bermudez and Sam Friedman’s directorial debut (the duo also penned the screenplay). It follows a Latina mother whose son gets to know a new neighborhood boy and his grandfather, a cop. The event puts the mother, who runs a marijuana operation, and the young Black man aiding her business, in danger. The film takes place in New Jersey amidst the 2008 recession and Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

“Gravitas is excited to release ‘Grassland,’ a thrilling take on the consequences of balancing providing for one’s family on the borders of legality and within the complicated and tiered criminal justice system. Brilliantly led by Mía Maestro, Quincy Isaiah, Jeff Kober, and Ravi Cabot-Conyers, audiences will experience the characters question not only authority, but the foundation of trust, family, and friendship,” Bill Guentzler, Gravitas Ventures senior vice president of acquisitions and operations, said in a statement.

The film world premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and has also played at the Monterrey International Film Festival for its international premiere and at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival.

Producers are Adam Edery and David Goldblum, and executive producers include the film’s actors Maestro, Kober and Isaiah, as well as Paul Blavin, Amy Blavin, Marie Cisco, Mara Burros Sandler along with Jeremy Paczos and Sam Silverstein via Exit 14. The composer is Zach Nicita.

The film has partnered with Common’s organization Free to Dream as well as Shinola and Last Prisoner Project in its impact campaign.