Amber Tamblyn’s directorial debut, “Paint it Black” has been acquired by Imagination Worldwide for a release this April. The film premiered at the 2016 LA Film Festival.

Based on the cult novel by Janet Fitch, “Paint it Black” tells the story of “two women from different worlds who, after losing the man they both loved, are joined in shock and grief when they are drawn into a twisted relationship that reflects equal parts distrust and blind need.”

The film stars Janet McTeer (“Me Before You”), Alia Shawkat (“Search Party”), Rhys Wakefield (“The Purge”), Nancy Kwan (“The World of Suzie Wong”), Emily Rios (“From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”), and Alfred Molina (“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”).

“This movie has been eight years in the making for me and I’m so honored to call Imagination Worldwide my partner in its release,” Tamblyn said in a statement. “My hope was to make a movie that was as visually intoxicating as it is psychologically — a true and twisted look at the violent, terrifying, and beautiful subconscious lives of women in the throws of major life changes. I wanted to make a film about the literal way in which women grieve, not a film about women’s grief. Think David Lynch directing ‘Grey Gardens,’ only with a deeper and more dangerous emotional intelligence.”

Tamblyn has received Emmy, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award nominations for her work in television and film. Her acting credits include “Joan of Arcadia,” “House M.D.” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “127 Hours,” “Django Unchained,” and “Stephanie Daley.” She is also the author of three books of poetry and prose: “Free Stallion,” “Bang Ditto,” and most recently the acclaimed bestseller, “Dark Sparkler,” which explores the lives and deaths of child star actresses.

When we asked Tamblyn her advice for other women directors, she said, “Do not ask for permission — from anyone — to follow all the way through on your vision.”