Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment company, has acquired the U.S. rights to Connie Cocchia’s coming-of-age drama “When Time Got Louder.” The film will be released on Nov. 17 in select theaters and on VOD.
“’When Time Got Louder’ is a powerful story filled with emotion. It’s a great addition to the coming-of-age genre, and we can’t be more happy to bring it to audiences,” stated Cameron Moore, senior director of theatrical distribution, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Gravitas.
Willow Shields (“The Hunger Games” franchise) stars as Abbie, who is departing for college and leaving her parents (Elizabeth Mitchell and Lochlyn Munro) and brother (Jonathan Simao), who has autism and is non-verbal. As the film’s synopsis explains, “while exploring her independence and sexuality, Abbie finds herself torn between her new life and her love for her brother.” Ava Capri and Piper Curda also star in the film, written and directed by Cocchia.
Cocchia, an LGBTQ filmmaker who has a brother impacted by autism, was passionate about casting newcomer Simao in the role of Kayden. Simao is an actor on the autism spectrum who will make his feature film debut with the project. The film also includes music from artists in the autism and LGBTQ communities, such as Sam Smith and Miki Ratsula.
“’When Time Got Louder’ is a story close to my heart as it represents both the LGBTQ+ and autism communities in an authentic and honest way,” added Cocchia. “We are excited to be working with Gravitas Ventures as their team recognizes the importance of films that bring awareness to these underrepresented communities.”
The film is produced through Cocchia Pictures with Ken Firth and Jason Bourque of Gold Star Productions and executive produced by Roy Cocchia, Frank Giustra, Austin Kolodney and Navid Soofi. Prior to its acquisition, “When Time Got Louder” played at over 30 film festivals including frameline and Vancouver International Film Festival.
This year, Gravitas Ventures has picked up rights to such films as Megan Griffiths’” I’ll Show You Mine,” a Duplass Brothers Productions film, starring Poorna Jagannathan and Casey Thomas Brown; the horror-comedy “Slotherhouse,” directed by Matthew Goodhue; and “Halfway to Amarillo,” a neo-western comedy written and directed by Burt Binder.
Other recent Gravitas titles include “Mack & Rita,” starring Oscar winner Diane Keaton (under the new label Gravitas Premiere), as well as “The King’s Daughter,” directed by Sean McNamara; “Queen Bees” directed by Michael Lembeck, with Ellen Burstyn and James Caan leading an ensemble cast; “Vanguard,” directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan; and “The Secret: Dare to Dream,” directed by Andy Tennant and starring Katie Holmes.
Watch the trailer below.
