Maurice Black

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North America distribution rights to Miss Virginia, a drama inspired by a true story of a struggling inner-city mother who sacrifices everything to give her son a good education. Unwilling to allow her son to stay in a dangerous school, she launches a movement that could save his future -- and that of thousands like him. Starring Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is the New Black”), Matthew Modine (“Stranger Things”), Aunjanue Ellis (“The Help”), and Vanessa Williams (“Ugly Betty”). Vertical Entertainment will be releasing the film in select theaters and on VOD October 18th.

The Moving Picture Institute announced today that Matthew Modine is set to join Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) in the independent production of Miss Virginia, playing the lead supporting role of Congressman Cliff Williams. The film, to be directed by R.J. Daniel Hanna (Shelter), is produced by Erin O'Connor, Rob Pfaltzgraff, and Maurice Black of the Moving Picture Institute (2081 starring Armie Hammer, Julie Hagerty, and James Cosmo), Stacey Parks of Media Sparks Films and M. Elizabeth Hughes. The film is set to commence production in April in Los Angeles.