Jogia returned to cinema , after joining the cast of multiple films throughout 2014 . In February of that year , '' Deadline '' reported that Jogia would star in '' Ten Thousand Saints '' , an adaption of the 2011 novel of the same name by Eleanor Henderson . Released in 2015 , the film also starred Asa Butterfield , Hailee Steinfeld and Ethan Hawke . In August 2014 , he landed a role in '' I Am Michael '' . Based on Benoit Denizet-Lewis ' '' New York Times Magazine '' article " My Ex-Gay Friend " in 2011 , the film 's cast includes James Franco , Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts , along with Jogia who portrays Nico , a gay Buddhist the protagonist ( Franco ) briefly falls in love with . Principal photography on the film commenced on August 11 , 2014 , in New York City and concluded later that month . The film was released at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival , before a limited release and through video on demand in January 2017 . Later in 2015 , Jogia appeared as Dark in the short film , '' Here Now '' . Further in 2015 , he released a trailer for a horror – thriller short film he directed , entitled '' Of Dogs and Men '' . The short film had appearances by Sir Ben Kingsley , who previously worked with Jogia on '' Tut ''
2015 Sundance Film Festival
2015 Sundance Film Festival
Avan Jogia