Set for release in theaters and on demand on July 24, via Film Arcade, is the Sundance Film Festival 2015 U.S. Dramatic Competition selection, "Unexpected," from director Kris Swanberg, from a script penned by Megan Mercier and Swanberg.

The story follows Samantha Abbott (played by Cobie Smulders), a dedicated teacher at an inner-city Chicago high school that’s shutting down, while she faces some unexpected news: she’s pregnant – a pregnancy that happens, as she learns, at the same time that one of her most promising students, Jasmine (played by screen newcomer Gail Bean), is also pregnant. Both find commonalities in their individual situations, as they consider what lies ahead for them in terms of life goals and ambitions, and how motherhood could influence their choices, as they forge an unlikely friendship that will challenge their respective points-of-view, and leave a lasting impact on one another.

The Hollywood Reporter called it "Engaging and relatable," and Variety loved it as well, saying it’s "small-scale and warmhearted in the best ways," and that it’s "an accomplished piece of work deserving special consideration in the indie marketplace and the care of a distributor savvy enough to market a story made by and about women."

"Unexpected" is produced by Andrea Roa, and executive produced by Peter Gilbert, Chris Webber (yes, the former NBA star), Edwin Linker, and Julian Peterson. Since retiring from the NBA, Webber has been actively involved in various non-basketball related ventures, including real estate, and of course film projects. He’s also an executive producer of Lanre Olabisi’s latest feature, "Somewhere in the Middle," which is currently touring the film festival circuit.

Ahead of the July 24 release of "Unexpected" check out an exclusive clip from the film, followed by its full trailer underneath:

Unexpected-2

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week