2025 threw serious health challenges our way, but despite it all, we made magic and brought my first feature film proof-of-concept to life ā with my producing partner & love of my life
@gregorymichael right by my side.
This project is incredibly close to my heart. The Golden Trail is inspired by my grandfather and his struggle with Lewy Body Dementia, exploring what it means to live and die with dignity.
Shooting the proof-of-concept was incredible. From filming 1950s flashbacks on Super 8mm to present-day sequences on Arri Alexa 35 with anamorphic lenses, every moment taught me so much as a director. Huge thanks to
@jefffisher_insta for your mentorship and for pushing me,
@eszter_csepeli_dp for the breathtaking cinematography and being such a great collaborator,
@rissyannm for being such a talented editor, and our incredible cast Cooper Huckabee (thank you
@_mrsnatalierose_ for suggesting himāhe was outstanding!),
@coleellio , and
@rachel_a_oday .
Massive gratitude to my friends
@livyrb17 and
@joshthrower for wearing a million hats on set,
@horsesforproductions for providing the perfect movie horses,
@respectfulleigh for constant inspiration and encouragement, and
@nicolas_bates for capturing these unforgettable BTS photos.
Iām also thrilled that the
@awd_directors is the fiscal sponsor for The Golden Trail, making all donations to the film 100% tax deductible.
I canāt wait for 2026, to finish this film, and share this story about dementia, love, and end-of-life choice with the world.
Hereās to the year of the horseācoincidence? I think not. š“
Make sure to follow
@thegoldentrailproject for more updates!
#TheGoldenTrail #Filmmaking #EndOfLife #femaledirector #thegoldentrailproject #DementiaAwareness #IndependentFilm #FilmProofOfConcept #WomenDirectors #BehindTheScenes #Cinematography #TaxDeductible #cooperhuckabee #FilmJourney #StorytellingMatters #LoveAndLoss #fiscalsponsorship