Toronto-based indie distributor levelFILM has picked up Michelle Ouellet’s Prodigals.

The film is produced by Ouellet and Nicholas Carella’s Vancouver-based prodco Sociable Films and David Kaye and Jameson Parker’s Whiskaye Films. The screenplay was written by Carella. It is based on the stage play and source material by Sean Minogue.

LevelFILM acquired Prodigals in advance of the Whistler Film Festival and is planning a spring 2018 theatrical release, followed by a VOD/digital release shortly thereafter.

The feature, which had its world premiere at Whistler, follows Wesley (David Alpay), who left his hometown of Sault Ste Marie, ON years earlier with big dreams that haven’t quite panned out. He returns to help out an old friend who’s been charged with murder, but Wesley isn’t exactly the hero everyone hoped he’d be.

The character-driven drama also stars Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), Carella (Bates Motel), Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny), Andrew Francis Parker (The Invisible), and Parker (who starred in the play).

Prodigals is the third feature from Ouellet, who was named one of Playback’s 10 to Watch in 2012. Her sophomore effort, the improvised film Afterparty, also debuted at Whistler and was later picked up by Mongrel Media.

In an interview at Whistler, Ouellet told Playback Daily that she and producing partner Carella are currently in development on their next feature, Us in 9 Months, adapted from the play written by David Deveau.

Updated on Jan. 9 at 2:35 p.m. with updated credit information for Sean Minogue.