Actress-turned-filmmaker Heather Graham’s film CHOSEN FAMILY will close the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) this weekend. Graham initially broke into the entertainment industry as an actress in movies such as SWINGERS and AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME in the 90’s. She made her directorial debut in 2018 with the rom-com HALF MAGIC.

CHOSEN FAMILY, Graham’s sophomore directorial effort, is another foray into romantic comedies. Graham plays Ann, a yoga teacher trying to find inner peace despite the fact a wild family and a miserable dating life. Ann doesn’t know how to say no and finds herself fixing everyone’s problems. Struggling to repair her estranged relationship with her sister Clio (Julia Stiles), Ann relies on her friends Roz (Andrea S.avage), Max (Thomas Lennon) and Frances (Odessa Rae) to guide her through life’s troubling decisions.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR CHOSEN FAMILY

Graham spoke to Temple of Geek about the film, transitioning into directing, and her SBIFF screening selling out earlier this month at the Saturn Awards.

“It’s very hard to get a movie made as a woman,” Graham divulged. “So I’m just grateful that they’re [SBIFF] showing it. I know as a woman, I love to watch those kinds of stories, so I’m so grateful that they’re making more.”

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER GRAHAM

Graham has championed female empowerment both behind and in-front of the camera. She shared how important it was to make her character a scientist in the Netflix holiday caper BEST CHRISTMAS EVER, and how she and co-star Brandy prioritized their characters’ friendships.

When asked what advice she’d give to emerging female filmmakers, Graham said,

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too old, too young, not pretty, too fat, too skinny. Just feel good about yourself because I think it’s inspiring to women to see other women of different ages and shapes and types and ethnicities feeling good about themselves. For me, my goal is to somehow empower women because I didn’t feel that empowered coming up in the business as much as I think people are trying to now.”

Graham is undoubted setting a stellar example for women in the industry, both new and established with her film closing out a festival as prestigious as Santa Barbara. Find out how to get rush tickets for CHOSEN FAMILY at SBIFF’s website HERE.

More About the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization. Over the past 35 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States. The festival attracts 100,000 attendees and offers 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and panels. It strives to fulfill their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire people through the power of film. We celebrate the art of cinema and provide impactful educational experiences for our local, national and global communities.