TV One’s latest original movie, Downsized, which stars Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, premieres September 16.

The film was written by the 2016 TV One American Black Film Festival Screenplay Competition finalist Michelle McKissic, made its world premiere at this year’s festival held in June in Miami.

It also stars Alix Lapri, Isaiah John (Snowfall, Saints & Sinners), Racquel Bianca John and Tia Hendricks.

After overcoming the odds of being teenaged parents who were forced to marry, Ebony and Michael find themselves struggling to keep their family together after years of professional success take their personal toll. As a result, Michael desperately tries to hold onto everything he’s worked his entire life to gain. This leads the family on an unconventional adventure to restore the faith, hope and trust that initially brought them together.

“One of the things I discovered was how much we are affected by family and how much family means to us. I’ve always known that, but it’s a nice experience to walk through that again on camera. We have made family our number one priority, and it’s kind of nice to be able to play that in a film as well,” says Kodjoe.

“Nowadays, we’re all programmed to walk away and look out for self when things get tough, but there is glory when you work as a team to get through the rough patch…I really appreciated that in the story. Joy does come in the morning when you push through. Marriage isn’t for everybody. It’s not easy, and yet it’s so rewarding if you fight for it,” says Parker.

For more on the ABFF-TV One Screenplay Competition visit here.

Watch previews of the film below:

Downsized

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