The Steps chronicles the culture clash between big-city sophisticates and their less urbane counterparts with tremendous humor, as well as the contrast between Canadians and Americans, who have more in common than either neighboring nation might care to admit. Featuring a perfectly pitched screenplay by Robyn Harding – up for Miami International Film Festival’s Jordan Alexander Ressler Award – The Steps deftly navigates the fun and frustrations of a new family learning how to cope with unexpected growth.

Jeff (Jason Ritter), a flailing investment banker, and Marla (Emmanuelle Chriqui), his party girl sister, are horrified to learn that their father Ed (James Brolin) is marrying Sherry (Christine Lahti). Sherry has three different kids from three different fathers, leading Jeff and Marla to believe that Sherry is only marrying Ed for his money. As soon as Jeff and Marla meet their impending step-family, things start going terribly wrong – especially once Ed and Sherry break the news about their plans for still more additions to the family, causing Jeff and Marla to realize their chances of inheriting the lion’s share of their father’s fortune are reducing by the minute.