What began as a creative outlet for Sam Green during the pandemic has evolved into a serious passion for storytelling. Now a Senior at Viewpoint School, Sam has created a range of impressive films, earning recognition at prominent festivals, including the Calabasas Film Festival which takes place September 18-22.

Sam’s filmmaking journey began in Middle School when he started sharing his artwork on Instagram. It was during this time that he discovered his love for the editing process and how video could bring his creations to life.

“I was doing a lot of drawing, posting my art on Instagram, and I started to develop a little bit of a following,” Green shared. “Then I saw people were making videos of the behind-the-scenes process of their art, so I started doing that. Soon, I realized I enjoyed the editing process more, which led me to film.”

"Even from his early days in Film 1, Sam was dedicated, passionate, and infinitely talented," said Catherine Dunn, Film Department Chair. "He elevates any project he’s part of, always striving to make it the best it can be."

One of Sam’s most personal projects is “You're Dead Already, Bro,” a documentary about his friend and neighbor, Emilio Morgenstern ’25, and his journey with organ donation. Sam began working on this film in his junior-year Documentary Film class, taking on the roles of director, producer, and editor. 

"I wanted to create something that says something important," Green explained. “Emilio had such a powerful story, so I wanted to share that."

Sam’s documentary has earned recognition at several prestigious festivals, including the L.A. Shorts International Film Festival, the Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Future Filmmakers Festival, and the Flatland Film Festival. He is now preparing to submit “You're Dead Already, Bro” to the highly competitive YoungArts competition.

“It felt really rewarding because it’s a film I worked on for a year, and I feel like I’ve reached a new level in filmmaking that connects with audiences,” Green said. “Additionally, being part of the panel at L.A. Shorts and interacting with other student filmmakers, some of whom are going to USC’s film program, was an incredible opportunity.”

Last year, while working on “You're Dead Already, Bro,” Sam also was creating a fictional film titled “Minus Daisy” in his Film 3 class. The narrative follows a young boy searching for his stuffed animal, with the audience slowly uncovering the father’s struggles, including his recent unemployment. “Minus Daisy” will be screened at the Calabasas Film Festival on Sunday, September 22, where Sam also will participate in a student panel discussion. It also has been accepted into the Mill Valley Film Festival in October, where it will be screened several times throughout the week.

“One theme that carries over between both films is recognizing the challenges people face, even if they aren’t immediately visible,” he explained. “I think it’s important to acknowledge what others might be dealing with beneath the surface."

Sam plans to continue pursuing his passion for filmmaking throughout his final year at Viewpoint. He’s currently working on a documentary about his grandfather in Australia, capturing the bond between him and his personal trainer as they navigate his degenerative condition.

Congratulations to Sam Green ’25 on his outstanding achievements in filmmaking and his upcoming participation in the Calabasas Film Festival. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you!