LAURA SOMERS
Cinema as a mirror, storytelling as a revolution.
Laura Somers is an award-winning screenwriter and director bringing raw, human stories to life with bold cinematic vision. Her work tackles complex, often marginalized characters who navigate both personal and societal conflict, with a strong emphasis on emotional journeys that challenge traditional boundaries of identity, humanity, and justice. Her films have premiered at top festivals and received critical acclaim.
Rise and Shine
Terri is a neurodiverse teenager with a developmental disability who simply wants to attend high school and have a "typical" teenage experience. While Terri and her supportive mother Janice struggle with life's challenges, they share an eternal optimism.
Tough Enough
In 1949 Texas, Coach Chris Johnson challenges societal norms by allowing determined teenage girl Frankie Groves to join the high school football team, sparking a courages fight for gender equality, respect and community.
A dark comedy audio drama that looks behind the doors of your friends and neighbors. In the aftermath of a hurricane, Joan's family and others like her on the lower ridge have lost almost everything, while Katie and her fellow residents of Cypress Creek on the upper ridge emerged unscathed. An HOA election could change everything, making sure the community resources go to those in need. But only if Joan can defeat Katie, the ultimate "Karen" of the neighborhood. The epic battle that will ensue between them will put them and the residents to the ultimate test... and everyone might not make it out alive.
The Follower
Laura will be directing her third feature in 2025 called The Follower, written by Hugo Award-winning author Will McIntosh and produced by Low Road Films. Set in a world where the dead are rising, the film follows Peter, an arrogant marketing undergrad haunted by Amaya, a nine-year-old girl from Buenos Aires who becomes his "Follower." The story, inspired by McIntosh's short story Followed, explores social inequity, immigration, and dignity, delving into how Western society grapples with the haunting presence of the dead from the Majority World.
McIntosh originally conceived the story after leading a graduate social psychology class discussion on the moral implications of saving lives for minimal cost, a thought experiment that deeply resonated with Laura. Her personal reflection on societal detachment from global suffering inspired her to collaborate with McIntosh on developing the feature.
Unlike traditional sci-fi narratives, The Follower centers on psychological rather than technological themes. It examines contemporary challenges like social and economic inequality, advocating for collaboration, love, and self-awareness over individualistic, survivalist approaches. Through Peter's journey to understand his haunting and the decisions it forces him to confront, the film highlights themes of personal growth, empathy, and redemption.
This quiet, introspective story stands as an allegory for the broader human experience, echoing the struggles and lessons magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Laura’s commitment to subverting expectations and addressing societal issues is evident in her dedication to bringing The Follower to life.
Rich Kids
A group of troubled teens from a low-income community break into "Los Ricos", the local mansion with a border fence, and spend the day pretending to be rich in order to forget their difficult lives.
Behind the Lens
