Casey Affleck to Direct, Star in Indie Drama ‘Light of My Life’ (Exclusive)

Casey Affleck, who is already generating awards buzz for his performance in Manchester by the Sea, has set his sights on his next project.

Affleck will star in and direct Light of My Life, an original indie survival drama that he also wrote.

Black Bear Pictures, the label run by Teddy Schwarzman that was behind movies such as The Imitation Game and All Is Lost, is producing and financing the indie.

Plot details are being kept in the dark but Light is said to focus on a father and his young daughter who are trapped in the woods.

It is unclear when the movie would begin shooting, but insiders say this will be Affleck’s next project.

Affleck is gearing up for what may be a busy awards season with Manchester, which is receiving heaps of praise. The movie premiered at Sundance where it was acquired by a very aggressive Amazon Studios, who then partnered with Roadside Attractions for a release in November. Until then, the movie is hitting the festival circuit; it screened at Telluride, where he was feted, and next hits Toronto International Film Festival, followed by New York Film Festival and others.

Manchester tells of a ne’er-do-well who is forced to go back home in order to take care of his nephew after the boy’s father dies.

Affleck last directed I’m Still Here, the faux-documentary centering on Joaquin Phoenix’s rap career.

He is repped by WME.

Updated Sept. 12, 11:47 AM: to confirm that Black Bear Pictures was indeed producing and financing.

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