Samantha Noland‘s thesis film, PEOPLE-PLEASER won the Best Graduate Capstone Fiction award at the American University Visions Awards! It also screened at the American Pavilion Next Gen Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. The film follows Sarah as she decides between telling the truth to her family, or keeping secrets. In this coming of age and coming out story, Sarah must choose between her fiancé Lenny and her girl-friend Laura at one tense shabbat dinner table. You can watch the trailer below. Samantha is in the early stages of development for her first feature film which builds off of the award-winning short film. Watch the trailer here.
