Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring Sam and Reed to life.
 

Logline

Reed, a depressed teenager of divorced parents who wrestles with belonging and bullying begins to find inspiration through filmmaking and connection with his younger half-brother Sam. Utilizing their allyship, and spirit of adventure, the brothers head out on a 1000-mile roadtrip to find Sam’s missing mom.

Synopsis

Reed is a depressed teenager going through a breakup. He wants to be a filmmaker, and he decides to turn this pain into fuel. He makes his dad’s garage into a lab where he also finds a Super-8 camera. He then enlists his younger brother Sam as an actor, a 11 year old who seems to bounce back up after every fall he takes. Reed wants what Sam has. Sam wants to go on adventures with his big brother who has a car. Creatively utilizing filmmaking as a reason to venture out, the brothers head out on a roadtrip to find Sam’s missing mom.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Reed Harkness – Writer
Reed attended film school in his backyard and garage. At the age of 18, he began on a creative endeavor that would span more than two decades: Sam Now, a coming-of-age narrative tracing the life of his younger brother from adolescence to adulthood. The success of Sam Now speaks volumes, having garnered acclaim with Best Documentary awards at prestigious film festivals such as Zurich, BendFilm, Savannah, and Indie Memphis. Its national premiere on PBS, followed by a streaming release on Criterion, further solidifies its impact and reach. Prior to Sam Now, Reed directed the award-winning documentary, Forest on Fire which told the story of the 2017 wildfire in the Columbia River Gorge, sparked by a teenager’s reckless act, and explored the wildfire-like spread of misinformation in the media. 

Sam Harkness – Writer
Sam is the lead subject of the award-winning documentary Sam Now. Sam leads gender-based violence prevention workshops in high schools and colleges in the Pacific  Northwest. His work raises awareness and provides  education about dating violence, red flags in relationships,  bystander intervention, survivor allyship and resources on getting help for those experiencing domestic or dating  violence. Sam is an Ultimate (Frisbee) coach, athlete, and a 2024 national champion.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.