Painting in Circles is a gritty, emotionally charged feature film about a former gangbanger and two-strike felon who discovers peace through painting as he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter — only to find the rage he buried now lives inside her. Set across three distinct versions of Los Angeles — the war-torn streets of South Central, the glassy denial of Beverly Hills, and the fragile calm of Venice Beach — the film moves with the tension of Uncut Gems, the soul of Moonlight, and the cultural weight of Boyz n the Hood. With elevated, stylized action scenes and a deeply personal narrative, the tone straddles serenity and chaos, constantly asking whether redemption can truly outrun inherited violence.

Led by writer/director/lead Allen Maldonado (Netflix’s Sneakerheads, Black-ish, Straight Outta Compton), the film features a star-studded cast including Saniyya Sidney (King Richard), Marshawn Lynch, Loretta Devine, and others. Backed by a powerful original score from Ty Dolla $ign and in-kind sponsorships from Lexani and local L.A. businesses donating all key locations, Painting in Circles is positioned as both a cultural statement and an indie action awards contender. This is not just a film — it’s a reckoning with legacy, rage, art, and forgiveness. Investors and sponsors will be aligning with a timely, authentic, and unforgettable story that has already galvanized community support and industry attention.

TALENT ATTACHMENTS & KEY CAST
Name Notable Credits Est. Box Office / Impact

Saniyya Sidney King Richard (Venus Williams role) $39.5M (Worldwide); SAG nominee

Loretta Devine Waiting to Exhale, Crash Crash – $98.4M (WW); Devine is Emmy-winning

Marshawn Lynch NFL Legend, Bottoms, Westworld Cultural icon; Bottoms – ~$12M (indie hit)

Mary McCormack The West Wing, 1408 1408 – $132M (Worldwide)

William Allen Young Moesha, District 9 District 9 – $210.8M (Worldwide)

King Bach (Andrew Bachelor) Social media icon, To All the Boys, Greenland Greenland – $52.3M (Worldwide)

Aida Rodriguez They Ready, HBO specials Major cultural voice in stand-up; streaming impact

Kwame Patterson David Makes Man, The Wire Critical acclaim; prestige TV staple

Chris Beaur Heels High-rated STARZ original series

Jeff Meacham Black-ish ABC hit with multiple Emmy noms

Noel Guglielmi Training Day, Fast & Furious franchise Fast & Furious – billions globally (as franchise actor)

Jackie Long ATL, The Chi, Idlewild ATL – cult classic; BET/NBCU appeal

Amari O’Neil The Wonder Years reboot ABC primetime visibility

Elijah Williams The Wonder Years Youth presence, growing recognition

James Harrison NFL legend, Remember Amari Cultural crossover appeal

Mike O’Malley Heels, Glee, Yes, Dear Longtime TV and cable staple