Iliza Shlesinger is stepping confidently into auteur territory. Production has officially wrapped on “Chasing Summer,” a new romantic dramedy written by and starring the stand-up comic, actress, and author, with Josephine Decker, the award-winning indie filmmaker behind “Shirley” and “Madeline’s Madeline,” directing. Backed by Indus Valley Media, Moontower Productions, and Pressman Film, the project promises to blend Shlesinger’s sharp, generational humor with Decker’s signature mix of intimacy, chaos, and poetic realism.
The story follows Jamie (Shlesinger), who, after losing both her job and boyfriend, retreats to her small Texas hometown where old friends, unresolved flings, and lingering heartbreak collide. Shot in St. Louis this summer, “Chasing Summer” is described as equal parts romantic, funny, and heartfelt—an exploration of the messy beauty of returning home, reconnecting with the past, and rediscovering yourself when life doesn’t go as planned.
The ensemble cast includes Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”), Garrett Wareing (“The Long Walk”), Lola Tung (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), Tom Welling (“Smallville”), Aimee Garcia (“Dexter”), Cassidy Freeman (“The Righteous Gemstones”), and Jeff Perry (“Scandal”). Tung’s casting marks another career leap for the rising star, whose breakout turn in Prime Video’s coming-of-age hit cemented her as one of Gen Z’s most magnetic new actors—now stepping into her first significant film role.
In a statement, Shlesinger described the film as deeply personal: “This movie is for anyone who’s ever gotten in their own way—it’s a love letter to my generation, my home state, and (Millennial) nostalgia. Every day of production, I was floored by the caliber of cast and crew involved, and I’m so proud of what we created.”
Decker echoed that enthusiasm: “It’s been really exciting to work on a project where fun leads. Our production was an incredible joy—with a stellar cast and crew—and our story explores a kaleidoscopic misunderstanding about a place, its people, and our main character’s past.”
With Shlesinger’s own writing credit and starring vehicle, the project firmly establishes her on the creative auteur ladder. Mullally appears in a key supporting role, while Wareing anchors the younger side of the narrative.
Tung’s involvement signals the next stage in her career arc: after emerging as a socially magnetic star on Prime Video, she’s now making a strategic leap into film, aligning herself with creative voices strong enough to match her breakout status. “Chasing Summer” marks a notable move for both Tung and studios seeking to harness her momentum.
Producers Rob Guillermo, Nihaar Sinha, Ray Maiello, and Sam Pressman praised the collaboration: “The alchemy of Iliza’s emotionally resonant story and powerful performance, combined with Josephine’s poetic filmmaking, is unique. We’re grateful to champion these remarkable filmmakers and this extraordinary cast as they redefine the boundaries of the genre.”
For Decker, whose work fuses psychological depth with formal experimentation, “Chasing Summer” marks her most accessible project to date—one likely to channel her emotional precision through a mainstream lens. And with Shlesinger’s proven comedic instincts, the film looks poised to straddle the line between heartfelt indie and audience-friendly studio comedy.
