The Boat Builder is a 2015 American independent drama film directed by Arnold Grossman and starring Christopher Lloyd and Jane Kaczmarek. It is Grossman's directorial debut. It is based on a novel by Grossman. Premise An embittered old mariner and an unwanted young orphan form an unlikely bond building a boat. Cast Christopher Lloyd as Abner Jane Kaczmarek as Katherine David Lascher as Charles Jeffrey Weissman as Bud Rachel Resheff as Ruth Derek Stefan as Officer Grigsby Joseph John Schirle as Duffy Heather Mathieson as Jean Apeksha Pradhan as Insurance Agent Tekola Cornetet as Rick Production Bruce Dern was initially considered for the role of Abner. The film was shot in the San Francisco Bay Area. The sound recording of the film occurred in Colorado. Release The film made its worldwide premiere at the 30th Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on November 6, 2015. References External links American independent films American drama films 2015 directorial debut films 2015 films Films based on American novels Films shot in San Francisco Films shot in California 2015 drama films 2015 independent films 2010s English-language films 2010s American films