THE FILM

About MY SISTER LIV

MY SISTER LIV features sisters Tess and Liv, who from a young age are inseparable. Liv is a young girl, growing up with relentless pressures of social media, teen depression and, often, suicidal thoughts. MY SISTER LIV takes us into a rare and riveting journey of raw emotions, joys, and fears of a young life on the edge — and ultimately a big sister’s desperate struggle to save her. Through fearless storytelling, MY SISTER LIV reveals the realities of stigma, the struggles of mental health, and the aftermath for the survivors left behind in a suicide. As a family learns to cope with their new normal, they find hope in filling a gap around fearlessly talking about mental health and ultimately to save young lives.

HOW TO WATCHRequest a Screening of MY SISTER LIV
ACCLAIM

North American Premiere

ACCLAIM
client
client
client
client
client
client
client
client
MY SISTER LIV, THE FILM

Team

We are a group of filmmakers who believe wholeheartedly in Liv’s impact and legacy. Through her story, told by sister Tess and mom Honey, Liv’s family bravely takes us on their private journey of love and loss, to help end youth suicide.

Alan Hicks

Director

Alan Hicks is a Grammy Award-Winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles. After working as a musician in and around New York, Hicks transitioned to filmmaking, directing his first feature documentary KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON and winning the Audience Award and Best New Director honors at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The film also won awards from the IDFA, AFI, Cinema Eye, Seattle Film Festival, Palm Springs, Hamptons Summer Docs, Aspen Film Festival and more. KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON was also shortlisted for the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature in 2015. Hicks recently directed the documentary feature film QUINCY following music legend and icon Quincy Jones over four years. QUINCY premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, before its worldwide premiere on Netflix reaching audiences in 150 countries. QUINCY received the Critic's Choice Honor for Best Music Documentary, the African American Film Critics Award for Best Documentary and Top Ten Films of 2018. QUINCY was included in the Doc NYC Short List, the Hollywood Reporter's Top Ten Films of 2018, was honored as a New York Times Critics Pick and won the Grammy for Best Music Film.

Paula DuPré Pesmen

Producer

Paula DuPré Pesmen launched her film career on the producing teams of such narrative features as: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, RENT, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, HOME ALONE 2 and STEPMOM. Since 2004, she has produced the renowned documentary features: THE COVE (Academy Award 2010); CHASING ICE (Cinematography Award Sundance; Emmy Award, Audience Award SXSW 2012), KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON (Audience Award Tribeca Film Festival, IDFA, Palm Springs Film Festival 2014); and Grammy Award winning and Netflix Original QUINCY (Toronto International Film Festival 2018) following music legend Quincy Jones. Paula was named Producer of the Year, 2010, by the Producers Guild of America. For her philanthropic work starting and running the non-profit There With Care, which provides daily support to families and children facing critical illness, she was named a Local Hero by Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine. Her recent documentary short film, LIV was made with director Alan Hicks to turn the tide of youth suicide.

Olivia Ahnemann

Producer

Olivia Ahnemann has been producing and directing documentary films for over 20 years. Most
recently, she produced Youth v Gov, which premiered at DOC NYC in 2020 and will have global
distribution in 2022. Previously she produced The Human Element featuring James Balog, which premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2018; Under the Gun with director Stephanie Soechtig, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, and was distributed by EPIX/Lionsgate; and Racing Extinction with director Louie Psihoyos, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, and was distributed by Discovery. In 2016, Olivia was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. Olivia was co-producer of The Cove, which has garnered over 70 awards globally, including the 2009 Academy Award for best documentary and the Producers Guild of America documentary award.

Camilla Mazzaferro

Producer

Camilla Mazzaferro is an experienced producer and the head of longform Entertainment at
FINCH, an Independent Australian production company.
Beginning her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and RadicalMedia, Camilla has produced a
prolific number of award-winning commercial campaigns, music videos, and shorts such as
HOMEBODIES (Official selection SXSW 2016). With producing credits on feature
documentaries A Fire Inside (Official selection Sydney Film Festival 2021), Girls Can’t Surf
(Official selection TriBeca Film Festival 2021), MACHINE (Official selection MIFF 2019), and
NETFLIX Original Chef’s Table, as well as an Executive Producer on The Meddler - El Metido
(Official selection MIFF 2020), she had guided numerous and highly varied documentary
projects to financial and commercial viability.

Larissa Rhodes

Producer

LARISSA RHODES is a filmmaker and the Head of Creative Development at Exposure Labs. In 2017, she produced the Sundance, Peabody, and Emmy® Award-winning film, Chasing Coral, a feature film following a team of adventurers working to reveal how the oceans are changing. It premiered along with a VR companion film at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and won the Sundance Audience Award. Rhodes holds an MFA in Film from Columbia University and a BFA & BA from the University of Colorado in Film Studies and International Spanish for the Professions.

Andrew McAllister

Co-Producer and Editor

Andy joined LIV following his time working with the film team on the production of the Netflix Original Film QUINCY about legend Quincy Jones. Andy has been on the acclaimed film teams of MARVEL’S 616 Docu-Series, QUINCY, LIV, THE BLEEDING EDGE, AMERICAN VANDAL Series, NOBODY SPEAK: TRIALS OF THE FREE PRESS, DR. FEELGOOD: DEALER OR HEALER? and TRUTH AND POWER Docu-Series.

Ross Kauffman

Executive Producer

Ross Kauffman is the Academy Award®-winning filmmaker of the feature documentary BORN INTO BROTHELS. In 2014, Ross directed E-TEAM (co-directing with Katy Chevigny), a documentary about four intrepid human rights investigators. E-TEAM debuted at The Sundance Film Festival and garnered the Best Cinematography Award for a Documentary Feature. His feature documentary TIGERLAND debuted at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was released by the Discovery Channel in over 180 countries. Ross also specializes in short form documentary film and socially conscious branded content for clients as diverse as Apple, GE, and Toyota. Ross is an adjunct professor at The School of Visual Arts Social Documentary Master’s Program, and he guest lectures at high schools and universities worldwide.

Geralyn White Dreyfous

Executive Producer

Geralyn White Dreyfous has a distinguished background in the arts, extensive experience in consulting in the philanthropic sector, and participates on numerous boards and initiatives. She spent years at the Philanthropic Initiative in Boston, guiding families of wealth in strategic giving opportunities, and she taught Documentary and Narrative writing with Dr. Robert Coles at Harvard University. Geralyn is Founder and Board Chair of the Utah Film Center, a non-profit that curates free screenings and outreach programs for Utah communities. In 2007, she co-founded Impact Partners Film Fund with Dan Cogan, bringing financiers and filmmakers together to create great films that entertain audiences, enrich lives, and ignite social change. IP has been involved in financing over 50 films, including: THE COVE (2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature); THE GARDEN (2009 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature nominee); FREEHELD (2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film); THE GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB, (2007 Emmy Award for Best Documentary Special); and HELL AND BACK AGAIN (2012 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature). IP had 5 films at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival – WEB JUNKIE, THE INTERNET’S OWN BOY: THE STORY OF AARON SWARTZ, E-TEAM (Cinematography Award, US Documentary), THE OVERNIGHTERS (Special Jury Prize), and ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC & MEMORY (Audience Award, US Documentary). In 2013, Geralyn helped found Gamechanger, the first for-profit film fund dedicated to financing narrative features directed by women. Their first film, LAND HO!, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

Linda & David Cornfield

Executive Producers

David and Linda Cornfield have been on the producing teams of the acclaimed documentary feature films THE LOVE BUGS, THE WILD, DARK MONEY, WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?, THE HUMAN ELEMENT, INVENTING TOMORROW, CHASING CORAL and CHASING ICE.

Dan Braun & Josh Braun

Executive Producers

Rob Galluzzo

Executive Producer / CEO, FINCH

FINCH was founded in 2011 led by CEO Rob Galluzzo, who has since built the collective into one of Australia and New Zealand’s boldest and most distinguished production companies. Rob has garnered a reputation for nurturing new talent and gains constant inspiration from his innovative team and roster of high calibre directors.

Throughout his career Rob has created work that is internationally renowned and critically acclaimed having won D&AD pencils, Gold at Cannes Lions, One Show, London Internationals, New York Festival and Award awards. His entertainment work has also been recognised at the International Digital Emmys and the AFIs. Rob’s experience and ever evolving passion for innovation has now seen him launch multiple award winning and globally patented technology creations including the Most Powerful Arm; a Black Pencil winner, 37 Degrees; a Gold Cannes Lions winner.

Rob has successfully forged a destiny for FINCH outside the remit of film adn advertising. In addition to entertainment, he is the backbone of FINCH’s social impact and technological initiatives including Creatable; a STEM education curriculum, Nakatomi; a technology company, and The Lion’s Share Fund -- an initiative where brands are able to contribute to the protection of our natural world each time an animal image is featured in their advertisements.
The Lion's Share was awarded the 2019 Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Good and also received a D&AD Impact White Pencil in the same year.

Rob’s investment in the future and innate ability to stay relevant is what sets himself apart as a pioneer industry leader. FINCH delivers prestigious content time and time again led by Rob’s ambitious vision that rewards risk, impacts culture and pushes boundaries.

W. Wilder Knight II

Associate Producer

W. Wilder Knight II is a member of Pryor Cashman's Media & Entertainment, Banking & Finance, Intellectual Property and Corporate Groups. Fluent in German, he is also a member of the German practice and works with numerous clients in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Wilder has worked with many of the entertainment industry’s legendary directors, writers and producers, as well as sports celebrities.

Brad Feld

Brad Feld is a partner and co-founder of Foundry. He has been an early-stage investor and entrepreneur for over 35 years, since founding his first company, Feld Technologies, in college. Brad is also a co-founder of Techstarsand, with his wife AmyBatchelor, runs the Anchor Point Foundation. Brad has written several books on entrepreneurship and venture capital and started
blogging in 2004 before VC Twitter existed. Brad holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Brad is also an art collector and long-distance runner who enjoys wandering around alone in the mountains for hours at a time.

Amy Batchelor

Amy is a managing director of the Anchor Point Foundation, which makes grants to non-profit organizations in the arts, education, entrepreneurship, conservation and the environment, health and human services, women’s and human rights, international development, capacity building, progressive public policy, and racial and social justice. She co-founded Social Venture Partners Boulder County in 2000. Amy served on the Board of Trustees at Wellesley College from 2009 to 2015, and 2018 to the present She served on the Boulder Community Health Foundation Board of Trustees from 2016-2022 and was co-chair (along with Brad Feld) of BCH's capital campaign for Mental Health. She serves on the global board of The Nature Conservancy and was the co-chair of The Nature Conservancy's Our World campaign. She is a member of TNC's
Africa Affinity Group for Women and Girls. Amy is the co-author of Startup Life: Surviving and Thriving in a Relationship with an Entrepreneur (2013) with Brad. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1988 with a B.A. in Political Philosophy. Brad and Amy live in Boulder, Colorado.

Tess Kunik

Subject

Tess is Liv’s sister. She was born and raised in Colorado and moved to Philadelphia in 2009 where she began her journey as a Theatre Artist, Designer, and Teaching Artist. She attended the University of the Arts where she graduated in 2013 with a BFA in Theatre Arts. Tess is honored to be a collaborator with Ninth Planet, a performance collective that “creates opportunities for people of color, women, queer and trans people in Philadelphia to participate in the making, performing, and producing of community-powered performance .” Her most recent collaboration with Ninth Planet combined her love for theatre and early childhood development in a production called Homeworld, a performance installation for babies 3-18 months and their caregivers. She collaborated on Homeworld as a co-creator, performer, and designer of the baby-safe installation and props. From 2015-2020 she served as teaching artist, designer, and stage manager, for a non-profit Theatre Education Organization and later brought theatre programming to schools in the Greater Philadelphia Area as their Education and Outreach Manager. Tess is passionate about collaboration and storytelling and its power to educate, inspire, and start conversations. She is dedicated to cultivating confidence in those who wish to tell their own stories. Here's to Sweet Liv, Tess' most beloved collaborator and inspiration.

Honey Beuf

Subject

Honey, an artist, suicide prevention advocate, and mother of three, currently resides in Pennsylvania. She obtained her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and later moved to Boulder, CO, where she served as the CFO and co-founder of Bolder Staffing for over 25 years, retiring in July 2018.

After losing her daughter Liv in 2019, Honey and her daughter Tess founded The Liv Project, a nonprofit organization. They produced the award-winning film "MY SISTER LIV" to shed light on the youth mental health crisis and to break the silence.

The Liv Project's tools and programs aim to prevent the devastating effects of suicide. Honey aims to connect with people globally, encouraging open conversations and breaking down the stigma and shame around mental health and suicide.

Susan Caso

Film Consultant / Therapist

Susan Caso is a Licensed Professional Counselor working with teens and college students over the last 20 years. She counsels individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation as well as helping families in their supportive role. She earned two undergraduate degree’s in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Kansas, along with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado. She has worked in clinical settings ranging from agency work, residential treatment, public schools, and private practice. She was a board member of Rise Against suicide for five years. She is dedicated to creating awareness on the topic of mental health and educating families to create an environment that fosters emotional connection.
In the Media

“My Sister Liv is a powerful documentary that opens with a simple, yet heartbreaking statement. The film takes an unflinching look at the current teen mental health crisis. Tess and her sister Liv had an unbreakable bond until Liv, who had been battling with depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts is unable to take it anymore.”

‘My Sister Liv’ review: An emotional film with an important messageAIPT Comics

“Pressure for a young person in society is intense. With bombardments from social media, television, and peers, young people must carefully navigate their lives and emotions to balance their mental health. With director Alan Hicks, he captures emotional and intimate moments in the documentary My Sister Liv as a family battling after a young person’s suicide.”

My Sister Liv | Alan Hicks Interview – Doc NYCGig Patta

“Films about suicide or suicide attempts have become much more commonplace since Billy Wilder’s Oscar-winning Best Picture, The Apartment, featured a suicide attempt by a character played by Shirley MacLaine and Robert Redford’s similarly Oscar bestowed Ordinary People depicted the after effects of a teenage character played by Timothy Hutton who attempted to end his own life following the accidental drowning death of his brother. In the last two decades, we’ve seen documentaries which cover mental illness leading to suicidal thoughts (Jonathan Caouette’s excellent Tarnation) and accidental overdoses (Asif Kapadia’s Oscar-winning portrait of Amy Winehouse, Amy) – and these are just some of the best-known titles. Now comes the truly poignant documentary My Sister Liv, directed by Alan Hicks…”

My Sister Liv- DOC NYC Film Festival - A Movie GuyDan Pal

““Dear Liv, it’s your big sister Tess” the opening words to a documentary that left me filled with so much pain, heartache, and yet at the same time, all of the hope and more for tomorrow. With the tone set in the first few moments, there was little question of what this film would be about.

This film and the story, without question, touched me. The rawness, the personal stories, and the struggles that this family had to cope with are all on display here. Liv’s sister Tess, and mother both were the voice of this story, though it was her sister that lent her narration to most of the film. In the form of an open letter to Liv, Tess told us the story from the day Liv was born, and you could feel the love and emotion in her voice.”

Without Question, One of My Favorite Films of the YearOverly Honest Movie Reviews
What We’re Hearing

“I was deeply moved by the story of Liv and the vulnerability of her family to be so transparent about her life and her struggles. I was also grateful to hear from others who spoke in the film about their own mental health struggles. We need more transparency and vulnerability in our world to counteract the stigmas associated with mental health. Thank you so much. It stirred up so many parts of my own story and the stories of those I sit with, and while I'm deeply saddened by Liv's death, I'm grateful for the work that is being done to help others who are struggling and suffering.”

Jacquelyn B Baker, LMHC

“Thank you! We had a small group of high school students view the film with parent permission. When asked "Who would be an audience that would benefit from viewing the film?" They immediately replied my friends and my parents. As an educational leader I would also like to make this film a required professional development for teachers and staff. Thank you!”

Anonymous, High School Teacher

“Liv is the best documentary on suicide prevention that I have ever seen. It is honest, without glorifying suicide, AND the conversations with teens, parents, and mental health professionals is extremely impactful. This film at first left me speechless in immense gratitude and then enlivens me to speak more openly about my own struggles with suicidal thoughts, as well as how to support others in my life who live with suicidal thoughts. It's extremely inspiring.”

Heidi Lindeman M.Div, M.A. LPCC, IFS Therapist

“'My Sister Liv' so beautifully captures the heartbreaking loss of a sister whose life ended too soon. As someone who has spent the last five years trying to tell stories about mental health issues, depression and suicide, there’s no question this movie will prompt conversations that need to take place. I was so moved hearing Liv’s story, and Tess and Honey’s love for their sister and daughter comes through, but nothing shines brighter than the spirit of this incredible young woman. I only wish I could have met her. But seeing the movie, I feel like I know her.”

DJ Nash, Creator & Executive Producer of 'A Million Little Things

“MY SISTER LIV is a film that speaks up on topics that too often are not spoken about. Authentically told from the perspective of a sister and mother, MY SISTER LIV gives us insight into the lived experience behind the statistics most often used to tell the story of mental illness and suicide. Watching this film awakens a sense of activism to not be afraid to keep the conversation going and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide.”

Jenna Glover, PHD., Chief Clinical Officer, Headspace
VIEW OUR

Screening Dates, Times & Locations

Milwaukee Film Festival
December 2, 2024, 6 p.m. UTC
Oriental Theatre
2230 North Farwell Avenue
Milwaukee 53202

Building Hope Summit County
Screening & Panel Discussion
For Spanish Speakers
December 4, 5:30 p.m. MT
Frisco Senior and Community Center
83 Nancy’s Place, Frisco, CO 80443

Girls Spark
Teen Board Screening
January 26, 2025

Host a private

screening of

MY SISTER LIV

with your people.

 

You can host a private or community screening of MY SISTER LIV followed by a panel and Q&A with members of our team. Told through young voices and professionals, the film sparks the need for fearless conversations and gives audiences the words to start talking and to help turn the tide of youth suicide.

REQUEST A SCREENING OF MY SISTER LIV

*IF YOU ARE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND NEED HELP PLEASE REACH OUT TO A PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY. The Liv Project is NOT a professional organization in the mental health field. The Liv Project does NOT offer psychiatric, medical or any other professional advice. We are NOT a crisis center. Our organization was founded by individuals who have lost friends and family members to suicide. Our goal is to build a community where we share information with each other that we have gathered about mental health resources and facilities and NOT to serve as a substitute for sound, professional, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you or a friend is in need of help, you should immediately seek that help and advice from qualified mental health professionals. This website is for informational purposes only. Please note that The Liv Project shall NOT be responsible for the content or services provided by any organizations, individuals or other resources referenced on our website or which you become aware of through this website, publications or other materials and information provided to you by or which you have become aware of through The Liv Project. The main goal of The Liv Project is to help people in distress get information about the professional resources that are out there so that we can together help prevent mental health crises from ending in suicide.