Samuel 🇵🇭

We’re proud to share that Almost American is officially a Top 10 Finalist in the Best Mini Doc Competition at the 2026 Big Sky Film Festival.  This film exists because of community, care, and the belief that these stories deserve to be seen. The Awards Ceremony is on Feb 19, 2026.

Almost American is premiering in 2026 (official announcement made soon!) For Sam, America has always been home. Yet without a pathway to citizenship, he and over half a million DACA recipients live in limbo, dependent on a temporary status renewed every two years. When his mother is suddenly deported by ICE, Sam must confront his own precarious reality through a new lens. His journey reveals how today’s immigration policies not only decide who gets to stay, but shape the story America tells about who belongs. @chaiyostudio in association with @cowboybearninja and The Taleem Project Co Directors: @sam.soliman @saritha.rothermel Producers: @baktashahadi @cowboyadrian Director of Photography : @evanvverner Additional Cam Ops: @mcyang @jonathanrothermel Editor and story producer: @michaelrothermel Sound mixer: @thingsdoneframed Outreach Producer: @jas.hawamdeh Art Director: @amiebantz Music: @ellieeebrooke

@almostamericandoc has been officially accepted into @bigskydocfest for its world premiere. Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is the largest documentary film festival in the American West, welcoming audiences from around the world each year. It screens approximately 150 documentary films in historic theaters throughout downtown Missoula, Montana. Almost American tells the story of Sam Soliman, a DACA recipient navigating ongoing uncertainty and family separation. The film explores belonging, dignity, and the resilience required to build a meaningful life despite uncertainty. This moment marks a major milestone for the film, opening the door for broader conversations and we need your help to support its next chapter. Link in bio to donate. Thank you to our art director @amiebantz for designing our official poster.

may dumperoni 1 my brother got MARRIED. traveled a lot for work. saw my friends in different cities. had showings and prepping for something huge next month with @almostamericandoc . tried to stay healthy, wealthy and wise just like Biggie said or something like that. enjoy da weather.

april dump. full 20 piece to commemorate a month of high highs and semi manageable lows. happy may and mental health awareness month. make sure you take care of yourself

month and a half of training, raw doggin a half marathon, spending a weekend with some great people. thanks @_giorg and @dorohealth for making sure my body works and that I didn’t quit on myself.

april dump with the usual suspects. took my cats to the vet. dealing with grief. ate too many hot dogs. worked a lot. lived a lot. stressed a lot. loved a lot. gonna make ya guys proud.

feb dump -drove for a day straight to get back to a wedding on time -spent time with my kittys -finally got a good pic with my mentor -celebrated my birthday alone (by choice) -premiered @almostamericandoc and spoke to the masses -enjoyed life one day at a time

Almost 5000 miles. 66 hours of drive time. Zero expectations for @almostamericandoc first festival experience and world premiere. Here are a couple take aways from my experience. 1. Empathy can’t be lost in our human experience. After watching many films, a lot of experience is shared in different forms. No matter the source, pain is pain. Happiness is happiness. It is a beautiful and human thing to feel it. I found myself crying and laughing at things I’ve never experienced but know the feeling of. 2. A genuine curiosity can open locked doors. Talking to so many different people from diverse backgrounds, I’ve had the time to really be curious and this has lead to so much learning and new friendships. 3. Fear rarely produces anything good. It is difficult to put yourself out there. Seeing so many talented people just go for it and send it and blessing people by showing their films was a beautiful thing. I’ve become less fearful of the things in my life knowing people are doing and feeling the same. I have been really blessed with a wonderful team of people who helped @almostamericandoc get to its first premiere. I’m excited for what the future holds for us and for everyone we had the pleasure of crossing paths with. Thank you @bigskydocfest for a life changing experience!

6 days out. gave myself a post bday treat, worked with my buddy in the sky and did a lot of research! more planning, more prep. I’m nervous and excited.

We are 7 days out from when i leave for @bigskydocfest . also happens to be my birthday. timing is everything. I’ll be challenging myself to document my life leading up to the film festival and hopefully you’ll get to know the real me.

28. I chalked 27 up as soon as the end of January hit. a body in rough shape, a mind in survival, a heart uncertain of what to do, circumstances that I had no control over that had the chance to alter my life. Throughout the year, I constantly had to adapt to what the next hour had for me and honestly I was ready to just end it. I’m so thankful for the community of people that had my back in what felt like the deepest hole to get out of. Here are some lessons and thoughts I learned and felt and put into practice throughout 27. 1. You can be upset at something you did wrong for 5 seconds, 5 months or 5 years. Nothing changes except the amount of time you punish yourself. 2. If you’re having a hard time make a decision, think about which one you are prepared to take the consequences for. 3. Love is felt most when it’s leaving. 4. Know enough to be dangerous. 5. Ready is not a feeling, it’s a decision. 6. A pet will save your life. I rarely feel ready. I never feel ready. But as I step into a new year of life I want to welcome the challenge, the hurt, the experience and everything that is has to hold. My personal goal for 28 is to feel alive. More life.