'Funny Story' to start shooting in NY

NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Writer-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck are to begin shooting their latest movie, "It's Kind of a Funny Story," in New York, Focus Features said Monday.

Focus holds the worldwide rights to the project, which it is co-financing with Wayfare Entertainment.

The comedy-drama stars Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Viola Davis, Zoe Kravitz, Aasif Mandvi, Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan. It is to begin shooting this week and to be released in theaters next November.

Boden and Fleck based their script for the film on Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name. It is about 16-year-old Craig, who "stressed out from the demands of being a teenager, checks himself into a mental health clinic.

"There he learns that the youth ward is closed -- and finds himself stuck in the adult ward. One of the patients, Bobby, soon becomes both Craig's mentor and protege. Craig is also quickly drawn to another 16-year-old, Noelle," Focus said in a release. "With a minimum five days' stay imposed on him, Craig is sustained by friendships on both the inside and the outside as he learns more about life, love, and the pressures of growing up."

Boden and Fleck previously teamed up for the films "Half Nelson" and "Sugar."