Pictured above: Lisa Alavi (left), Lorelei Linklater (center), Sara Alavi (right)
Practically Married, an upcoming feature film directed by Juan Carlos Zermeño and written by Sara Alavi, marks a significant contribution to the evolving landscape of women-led cinema. The project champions female representation on and off screen, highlighting the voices and perspectives of women in creative leadership.
Written by and starring Sara Alavi, the film explores themes of modern dating through a female-centric lens. Drawing inspiration from the real-life experiences of sisters Sara and Lisa Alavi, the story weaves together elements of sisterhood, romantic identity, and contemporary relationships. Lisa Alavi co-stars as “Lucy” alongside Sara’s “Samantha,” bringing their familial dynamic into the heart of the narrative and emphasizing the importance of authentic female connections.
Joining them is Lorelei Linklater, known for her role in the Academy Award-winning Boyhood. Linklater portrays “Allison,” a key figure whose journey through friendship, trust, and self-discovery enriches the film’s exploration of interpersonal bonds. Her creative collaboration with the Alavi sisters reflects a broader trend of women supporting women within the entertainment industry.
The film also features contributions from industry veterans and emerging talent, notably Mykle McCoslin, a member of the National Board of SAG-AFTRA, who appears as “Mom” and serves as co-producer. Her involvement underscores the film’s dedication to industry leadership and advocacy through experienced female voices.
A strong female perspective guides every phase of production, from script development to execution. The film is grounded in multidimensional characters and realistic portrayals of women’s lives, sidestepping outdated tropes in favor of nuanced storytelling that reflects today’s diverse cultural context through humor.
Behind the scenes, Practically Married showcases an inclusive, Latin-based crew and a production model rooted in equitable hiring. Jessica Burgos leads the way as a Latin female Assistant Director alongside Director Juan Carlos Zermeño. The storytelling draws from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, ensuring a range of lived experiences are represented on screen.
The ensemble female cast includes Chasity Sereal (The Reading, Project Runway) as “Felicia,” alongside Emma McCoslin (Better Call Saul) and rising talents Anna Austin, Lauren Jamison, and Keeley Begeman. A compelling actor lineup supports the female cast with Dave Maldonado (Sinners, Deepwater Horizon, The Tomorrow War) as “Dad”, David Gregory (One Life to Live) as “Ben”, Jordon Fite (Power Rangers: Dino Fury, Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury) as “Harold”, Kevan Moezzi (Comedian K-Von), Lee Patrick Gailey, Don Jeanes, Jim Krestalude (Star Trek: Generations), Trey Campirano (Mayfair Witches), Brian Gendron, John Lansch, Connor Richardson, and introducing young heart throbs Kaden Alavi and Nathan Alavi.
Sara Alavi brings to the project a broad creative background, spanning work in acting, modeling, music, and humanitarian efforts. Her progression into writing and producing female-centered narratives reflects a growing movement of women shaping inclusive and representative cinematic spaces.
(Pictured above Left to Right Top then Bottom: Lisa Alavi, Don Jeanes, Lorelei Linklater, Sara Alavi, Kaden Alavi and Nathan Alavi)
Practically Married is produced in partnership with Executive Producers Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor, alongside the Executive Producer creator leads Sara Alavi and Juan Carlos Zermeño. The production team recently signed with Buffalo 8 for distribution. The film will be represented at the Festival de Cannes in Cannes, France, where Buffalo 8 will explore distribution opportunities ahead of its international debut.
By centering women in all aspects of filmmaking, Practically Married stands as a compelling example of contemporary, collaborative storytelling. It reflects the humor, complexity, and strength of women’s experiences and reinforces the value of representation in modern cinema.
For additional information, visit the film’s IMDb page, or follow the official film Instagram account. To explore more about Sara Alavi’s work and creative background, visit her official website or Instagram profile.Director Juan Carlos Zermeño can be found on Instagram.
