The YA novel I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is in development as a feature film from Autumn Bailey-Ford and Cameron Burnett of Prominent Productions and Radar Pictures.  Michael Napoliello and Maria Frisk will produce for Radar.

The novel was co-written by activist Kimberly Jones and attorney Gilly Segal. Jones garnered attention over the last month for her searing “How We Can Win” video following the murder of George Floyd by police. The video was shared by LeBron James, Trevor Noah,  Lizzo, Janelle Monáe and others.

Here’s the description of I’m Not Dying With You Tonight:

The NAACP Image Award Nominee novel, which was released in 2019, follows two teen girls-one Black, one white-who have to confront their own assumptions about racial inequality as they rely on each other to get through the violent race riot that has set their city on fire with civil unrest.

Lena has her killer style, her awesome boyfriend, and a plan.  She knows she’s going to make it big.  Campbell, on the other hand, is just trying to keep her head down and get through the year at her new school. When both girls attend the Friday-night football game, what neither expects is for everything to descend into sudden mass chaos.  Chaos born from violence and hate.  Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together. They aren’t friends.  They hardly understand the other’s point of view.  But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night.

“I can’t find the words to describe how I feel about the book being made into a film.  Exploring the ‘why’ involved in civil unrest is non-negotiable in this era and I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is a piece of work that can open the portal to that conversation.  I think it was destined to be released in this medium,” said Jones.

Gilly Segal said, “Working with Prominent Productions and Radar Pictures to make I’m Not Dying With You Tonight into a film is thrilling.  I’m honored to have this material in their hands and inspired by their passion for bringing the project to the screen. I hope adapting the novel for film will offer people another means to explore and talk about the themes raised in the book and that the conversations it sparks reach new audiences.”

“I fell in love with I’m Not Dying With You Tonight when I read it last year.  The growing friendship between Lena and Campbell was powerful to me.  I went through all kinds of emotions when I read this story.  I’m excited to work with Radar on bringing Kim and Gilly’s work to the big screen,” said Bailey-Ford.

“Our plan is to make a powerful film seen though the younger generation’s viewpoint. We shall take one night showing two teenagers working together to survive a harrowing night of shooting, fights, a riot, looting and their conflicting views on each other, all while trying to get safe and home,” added Burnett.

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