Principal photography has wrapped in Toronto on Brooke & Sam, the feature directorial debut of rising Canadian filmmaker Ally Pankiw (Feel Good, Schitt’s Creek).

Pankiw (pictured) also wrote the Barn 12 Inc.-produced dramedy, which stars Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby) as Sam, a stand-up comedian and nanny grappling with PTSD and the disappearance of a teen she used to look after.

The cast also includes newcomer Olga Petsa (Mixtape) as said teen named Brooke, alongside acclaimed comedy stars Sabrina Jalees (Carol’s Second Act), Caleb Hearon (Human Resources), Ennis Esmer (Private Eyes), Dani Kind (Workin’ Moms) and Jason Jones (The Detour).

The story chronicles Sam’s current struggles to recover from her trauma with the help of her friends in the comedy community, and her memories of her past and of Brooke.

“As a filmmaker, I’ve always been drawn to telling stories about complicated, funny women, and Brooke & Sam is no exception,” Pankiw tells Playback Daily.

“This film explores the ups and downs of what recovery actually looks like. It’s not a tale of revenge or pure devastation, but rather, about the intergenerational relationships and friendships that shape us and help us reclaim our own voices.”

Pankiw directed and executive produced the entire first season of Feel Good, created by and starring London-based Canadian comedian Mae Martin.

She was also a story editor on the second and third seasons of the CBC’s Schitt’s Creek and has directed on Hulu’s Shrill, the new season of Hulu’s The Great and the pilot for NBC’s Someone Out There, which she also executive produced.

Pankiw is also working with Schitt’s Creek co-creator/star Dan Levy on the upcoming Hulu/20th Television Animation animated comedy series Standing By, as co-creator, writer and executive producer.

Brooke & Sam is being made with the participation of Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates, in association with Crave, and in conjunction with Partizan and WME Independent. The producers are James Weyman of Barn 12, Jason Aita, and Breann Smordin.

Pankiw and Partizan’s Li-Wei Chu serve as executive producers, along with Judy Holm of Markham Street Films and Paul Barkin of Alcina Pictures.

Toronto-based distributor levelFILM has the project in Canada, with TV rights resting with Bell Media streamer Crave.

Pankiw is repped by WME, Partizan and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman.

Photo credit: Taylor-James