Barry Jenkins is set to direct an adaptation of “If Beale Street Could Talk” for Annapurna Pictures, marking his first feature film after his hit “Moonlight” won this year’s best picture Oscar.

The project marks another high-profile title for Annapurna, which recently entered the distribution game after spending years as a financier. Kathryn Bigelow’s “Detroit,” which bows on Aug. 4, is the first movie under the studio’s new slate.

Based on the novel by James Baldwin, “If Beale Street Could Talk,” follows Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their first born child. It’s a celebration of love told through the story of a young couple, their families, and their lives.

Production on the film is expected to start in October.

Jenkins, who has wanted to make the film for many years, wrote the screenplay during the same summer sojourn in 2013 when he penned “Moonlight.” Since then, Jenkins has worked toward securing the trust of the Baldwin Estate. Baldwin’s sister, Gloria Karefa-Smart, says, “We are delighted to entrust Barry Jenkins with this adaptation. Barry is a sublimely conscious and gifted filmmaker, whose medicine for melancholy impressed us so greatly that we had to work with him.”

“James Baldwin is a man of and ahead of his time; his interrogations of the American consciousness have remained relevant to this day,” Jenkins said. “To translate the power of Tish and Fonny’s love to the screen in Baldwin’s image is a dream I’ve long held dear. Working alongside the Baldwin Estate, I’m excited to finally make that dream come true.”

The movie will mark Jenkins’ first production with Annapurna and a re-teaming of “Moonlight’s” producing team with PASTEL and Plan B.

Jenkins is repped by CAA and Silent R Management, and Plan B by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

“If Beale Street Could Talk” follows a pregnant woman from Harlem named Tish (Kiki Layne), whose lover (Stephan James) is falsely accused of rape. When Tish finds out she is pregnant while James’ character Fonny is in prison, she races against the clock with help from her family and her lawyer to find evidence to exonerate Fonny.

Production companies are Jenkins’ Pastel company, Brad Pitt’s Plan B, and Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures, which is also financing the film. The film will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and is scheduled to be released on Nov. 30 by Annapurna Pictures.

The cast includes Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, Brian Tyree Henry, Teyonah Paris, Dave Franco and Regina King.

“Beale Street” is Jenkins’ first movie since “Moonlight” won the Academy Award for best picture, best supporting actor, and best screenplay. The film marks the first feature under the production pact between Pastel and Annapurna and is also part of Plan B’s production deal with Annapurna. Jenkins has been working closely with the Baldwin Estate to write the screenplay.