Gabourey Sidibe is making her feature directorial debut with the psychological thriller Pale Horse for Gamechanger Films.
Pale Horse is based on a story by Chris Courtney Martin and Asabi Lee and Paul Hart-Wilden is penning the script.
Set in the Pacific Northwest, the thriller follows Naia, a celebrated yet reclusive author living with multiple sclerosis. When Naia allows a man, who escaped captivity with her long-missing brother, to stay at her home, she finds herself caught up in a diabolical mystery.
Gamechanger CEO Effie T. Brown and Wellington Love are set to produce the project on behalf of Gamechanger Films. The production company and development fund dedicated to projects by and about women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities.
“Stories like ‘Pale Horse’ are long overdue in the entertainment industry, and Gamechanger is dedicated to financing and producing them: entertaining films that offer diversity in storytelling, characters and filmmakers,” Brown said. “In addition to our development and producing commitments, we plan to demystify the process of production through our social and partnership channels, pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to create a film. We want people of all communities to feel included in and empowered by this process.”
Brown adds: “I have known Gabourey for some time and am always impressed with her skills as a storyteller, both as an actor or author. She will be an incredible force behind ‘Pale Horse.’”
Sidibe echoed the same sentiments about working with Gamechanger.
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“I’m super excited to work with Gamechanger on my first feature! This project is a true stand-out and the character of ‘Naia’ is a Bad Ass! Effie and Wellington are powerhouse visionaries and I’m so excited to be able to work with them to create this gripping thriller with complex characters.”
Casting for the film hasn’t been announced. The film is set to begin shooting this fall.