Two gay men navigate the challenges of a smartphone era relationship in Sell By , writer-director Mike Doyle s debut feature film that aims to push the boundaries of the romantic comedy genre by avoiding its tropes.

The movie, which premiered at Torontos Inside Out Festival in May and will be screened at Outfest Los Angeles this weekend, is a star-studded ensemble piece about the lives (and loves) of seven career-driven pals in New York. At the core of this Manhattan friendship circle are Adam (played by Scott Evans ) and Marklin (Augustus Prew ), who have been together for five years.

Though Adam dreams of making a name for himself in the visual art world, hes settled for a ghost painting gig with established artist Ravella Brewer (Patricia Clarkson ), who passes his work off as hers.

Meanwhile, Marklin has shot to internet fame as an Instagram influencer and much to Adams chagrin has outpaced his boyfriends modest salary through sponsors and partnership deals. Beneath the photo filters, however, Marklin is dealing with deep pain of his own: Unbeknownst to his thousands of followers and his boyfriend, hes been caring for an ex-partner dying of a terminal illness.