Starring alongside Lawrence is Atandwa Kani, son of actor, director, and playwright John Kani, and a cast of local and international favourites.

Love By Chance, shot in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, is about two aspiring actors from South Africa who are independently in America, trying to crack into an extremely difficult and over saturated Hollywood industry. They meet by chance, but between the everyday struggle of auditioning, dealing with daily rejection, self-doubt, financial hardship, and crazy friends, who has time for love?

US co-stars include Carl Anthony Payne II, Clifton Powell, Terri J. Vaughn, E. Roger Mitchell, and Lil Zane.

Lawrence says, “I've been fortunate to play complex characters this year, from Scandal to Blood Drive and now Love By Chance. I am nervous and thrilled, but more than anything, I am grateful to land this role. Bailey is a complex character and I see a lot of myself in her. Having South Africans at the centre of this narrative is an important step in taking our talent to the world.”

The film’s local producers are Dumi Gumbi and Cati Weinek of the Ergo Company. They produced the recent film, Mrs Right Guy, and winner of best film at the Jozi Film Festival, Dora’s Peace. 

“We are excited to be collaborating with director/producer Samad Davis on this rom-com,” says Gumbi. “It’s great to see South Africans sharing a platform with top American talent. Production on the film started in October 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia, with all post-production of the film taking place in South Africa making it a truly collaborative production between the producers and countries.”

“As an African-American, I am fueled by my vision of bridging cultural gaps between Africa and the United States through the power of film and television,” Davis says. “The Top Actor Africa brand was built on this premise and the film Love By Chance embodies that mantra. Being able to work with the right South African and international talent, both in front of and behind the camera, is priceless. Teamwork truly makes the dream work.”

The film is set to release locally and internationally in the first quarter of 2017. In South Africa, it will be distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution.

For more information, visit www.indigenousfilm.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook.