Anchor Bay Films has acquired "Morning," the directorial debut from "Taken" actor Leland Orser, the company said Friday.

The film stars Jeanne Tripplehorn, Laura Linney, Elliott Gould and Orser.

The drama, which drew critical acclaim after it debuted as a short film at the SXSW festival, centers on the life of an American couple following the accidental death of their child.

Orser decided to expand the short as a feature film in light of the positive reception it received on the festival circuit.

Todd Traina produced "Morning" through his Red Rover Films, and Orser wrote the screenplay.

“Morning is a powerful film with an exceptional cast,” Kevin Kasha, Anchor Bay's Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, said. “We look forward to working with Leland and the film’s producer, Todd Traina, on releasing it to audiences throughout North America.”

“I think that what we are experiencing right now in mainstream cinema is a renaissance of the independent film drama. Good stories. Important themes. Center stage. This is a time for films that challenge us to think and to question and to feel deeply,” Orser added. “'Morning' is a love story, in the truest sense of the word, that asks us to do all of those things. Todd and I are both thrilled that it has found a home at Anchor Bay with Kevin and his team who care as passionately as we do about film and filmgoers alike.”