Written by Kianna Best on Sep 8, 2022. Posted in Production News

Savannah Leaf makes feature directorial debut with Earth Mama

Olympian and Grammy Award-winner Savannah Leaf is set to release the coming-of-age story Earth Mama through independent entertainment company A24. Serving as writer and director to the production, the former volleyball champion will bring the depth and delicateness of her directorial perspective to the feature film screen. A release date is yet to be revealed.

Savannah Leaf has leant her creative hand to Grammy recognised music videos including Gary Clark Jr’s This Land and HER Love by Common. Recent directorial activity includes her involvement on The Heart Still Hums, a 2020 documentary short which tells the story of five women facing the trials and tribulations of homelessness, drug addiction and their own parental experiences whilst caring for their own children.

Image courtesy of A24

Since the 31 August 2022 announcement of the A24 support for Leaf’s upcoming movie, revelations surrounding the production have been flooding out into the world. Earth Mama will tell the story of a pregnant single mother, navigating the tumultuous nature of family life. Set against the backdrop of the Bay Area California, the region’s idiosyncrasies filter into the culture and behaviours of the filmed characters.

Cast members will include Bay Area musician Tia Nomore, Living Single’s Erika Alexander, rapper Doechii, Sharon Duncan Brewster of Sex Education and Dune, Euphoria’s season 2 addition Dominic Fike and Bokeem Woodbine from The Inspection.

Image courtesy of Park Pictures

Earth Mama will also be produced by Shirley O’Connor and Medb Riordan of Academy Films, Cody Ryder and Sam Bisbee of Park Pictures and Leaf herself. Co-production will be served by Danielle Massie. Ben Coren, David Kimmbangi, James Wilson, Simon Copper, Jackie Bisbee, Lance Acord, Christine D’Souza Gelb and Cameron Washington will serve as executive producers to the feature.

A24’s involvement follows their impressive success of Everything Everywhere All at Once, the company’s first film to gross USD 100 million at the global box office. Recent releases which have been garnering world-wide praise have been Bodies Bodies Bodies and Marcel the Shell with No Shoes On. The eclectic slate of releases generates an unstoppable cult following of their passion driven creations. The entertainment company, who will be dealing with the rollout of the film have partnered with the UK’s Film4 who assisted with development and co-financed the production.

Image courtesy of A24