Director's note
38-minute documentary portrait of Houston activist Deron Neblett's mentorship program for kids aging out of foster care. Shot over 14 months in 2024-2025 across 11 verité shooting days plus 4 sit-down interviews. Subject: Deron Neblett, founder of Third Ward Boys. Featured: Kayla Patterson, Marcus Lee Jr, Aida Brooks, Jordan Reyes (the kids), Pastor James Carrington (community), and Mayor Sylvester Turner (interview). Crew: I directed and produced. DP: Sami Khan. Field sound: Felicia Tran. Editor: Brittany Okafor. Colorist: Sai Selvarajan. Post sound: Skywalker Sound (Bonnie Wild). Score: Kerry Brown. Festival run: SXSW 2026 Documentary Shorts (Audience Award), True/False 2026, BlackStar 2026 (Best Documentary Short), Camden International 2026, DOC NYC 2026. Distribution: ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts (acquired pre-Sundance), additional theatrical run at Alamo Drafthouse Houston. 38-minute festival cut, 26-minute broadcast cut for ESPN, 90-second trailer, 15s social cut.
Featured
Festival Recognition
Director's cut
The 38-minute festival version following Deron Neblett's Third Ward Boys mentorship program across 14 months of verité filmmaking, premiering at SXSW 2026 before its theatrical run at Alamo Drafthouse Houston.
Original score
Craft
Credits
CREATIVE
- DirectorSelf
- ProducerSelf
- Director of PhotographySami Khan
- Sound MixerFelicia Tran
- EditorBrittany Okafor
- ColoristSai Selvarajan
- Sound DesignBonnie Wild · Skywalker Sound
PRODUCTION
- Music / ComposerKerry Brown
- SubjectDeron Neblett
- FeaturingKayla Patterson
- FeaturingMarcus Lee Jr
- FeaturingAida Brooks
- FeaturingJordan Reyes
- FeaturingPastor James Carrington
- FeaturingMayor Sylvester Turner
- Label / Record LabelESPN 30 for 30 Shorts
- TalentPastor James Carrington
- TalentMayor Sylvester Turner