Sanaa Lathan’s Feature Directorial Debut “On the Come Up” to Make World Premiere at TIFF

Sanaa Lathan’s feature directorial debut is set to make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. A press release announced that “On the Come Up,” the story of a gifted rapper trying to make a name for herself, will premiere at the 47th edition of the fest, set to take place September 8-18.

“On the Come Up” tells the story of Bri (Jamila C. Gray), 16-year-old girl who “attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father — a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. But when her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false persona that the industry wants to impose upon her,” per the fest.

Kay Oyegun (“This Is Us”) penned the script, which is based on Angie Thomas’ best-selling novel of the same name. Thomas is also the author of “The Hate U Give,” the source material for the critically acclaimed 2018 film starring Amandla Stenberg.

Lathan’s best known on-screen roles include “Blade,” “Love & Basketball,” and “Alien vs. Predator.” Her more recent credits include “Succession” and “The Affair.”