Paramount has given an awards-season December release to Denzel Washington’s “Fences” with a limited opening in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 16 and a wide release on Dec. 25, Variety reports.

Paramount announced in April that Washington would star in and direct a movie version of August Wilson’s “Fences” with Viola Davis on board to star. Both actors won Tonys for their performance in the 2010 Broadway revival of “Fences,” which was first performed in 1985.

Bron Creative and Macro are producing the movie with Washington, based on Wilson’s screen adaptation of his Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Scott Rudin and Todd Black are producing with Washington. Executive producers are Eli Bush; Bron Creative’s Aaron L. Gilbert; Jason Cloth; Andy Pollack; Molly Allen (“The Great Debaters”); Macro’s Charles D. King; and Kim Roth along with co-executive producer Poppy Hanks.

“Fences” is the story of a one-time promising baseball player, now working as a Pittsburgh garbage collector, and the complicated relationships with his wife, son and friends. The film’s ensemble cast includes Stephen Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Jovan Adepo and Saniyya Sidney.

“Fences” is Washington’s third outing behind the camera following “The Great Debaters” and “Antwone Fisher.” Paramount and Washington last collaborated in 2012 on “Flight,” for which he received an Oscar nomination for best actor.

“Fences,” co-financed by Bron Studios, Macro and Paramount Pictures, began shooting in April in Pittsburgh.