Kat Dennings has joined the teen comedy Daydream Nation, now shooting in B.C. for Screen Siren Pictures and The Film Farm.

The picture, described as a ‘humorous romance’ about a rural community shaken by the arrival of an acerbic teen girl, is shooting in Vancouver under writer and director Mike Goldbach. The picture marks Goldbach’s first turn behind the camera, following his feature writing debut Childstar.

Dennings (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Defendor) plays the lead, stepping into a role that this time last year was earmarked for Heroes star Hayden Panettiere.

Also starring are: Josh Lucas (Poseidon), Reece Thompson (Provinces of Night), Rachel Blanchard (Adoration, Where the Truth Lies) and Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day).

Christine Haebler and Trish Dolman produce for B.C.-based Screen Siren (Year of the Carnivore), and Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss for The Film Farm (Away from Her, Redacted) in Toronto. Cameron Lamb is executive producing.

The picture shares its title with an album by alt-rock greats Sonic Youth, and is said to be a brainy comedy in the vein of Juno.

The picture is co-financed by Telefilm Canada and TriStar Film Finance, with E1 Entertainment distributing in Canada and Tim Brown’s Joker Films selling the worldwide rights.