A journey of companionship, struggle, and hope
Nearly two years ago, filmmaker Donté Larry and veteran Samuel Nahins set out across the country with Sam’s service dog, Ghost. Along the way, they met others whose lives have been changed by their service dogs, exploring invisible disabilities and the independence, connection, and hope these extraordinary relationships can provide.
The journey has been filmed. The documentary is edited. Now, we need your help finishing it.
Help us cross the finish line
Funds raised will help our post-production team complete the film and bring it to audiences, including:
- Professional color grading
- Sound design and dialogue editing
- Original music and scoring
- Film festival submissions
- Marketing and distribution
We want A Gift to Ghost to reach people living with invisible disabilities, veterans, service dog handlers, their families, and anyone who may see themselves in these stories.
As a thank you, everyone who donates will receive a private viewing link to watch the completed film before we begin submitting it to festivals.
Giving back
This film would not exist without the people, dogs, and organizations who opened their doors to us.
30% of the funds we raise will be donated equally to Canine Companions, Eyes Ears Nose and Paws, and Wounded Warrior Project, organizations whose work connects directly to the people and issues at the heart of the film.
Help us finish the journey and bring A Gift to Ghost to the world.
Watch the trailer here
Learn more about A Gift to
Ghost on our official website.
Highlights
See all activity2Is this a studio production?
No. A Gift to Ghost is an independently produced documentary created by a small team of filmmakers. The production has largely been made possible through personal funding and previous supporters.
What do you mean by “invisible disabilities”?
Invisible disabilities are physical, neurological, or psychological conditions that may not be immediately apparent to others. A Gift to Ghost explores several different experiences with invisible disability through the people featured in the film.
Are the people in the documentary actors?
No. A Gift to Ghost is a documentary, and the people featured in the film are sharing their own experiences and relationships with their service dogs.
Are all the dogs in the film trained for the same type of disability?
No. Service dogs can be trained to perform very different tasks depending on the needs of their handlers. Part of the film is seeing how unique each of these partnerships can be.
Is A Gift to Ghost affiliated with the organizations you're donating to?
A Gift to Ghost is an independent production. We have worked with service dog organizations throughout the making of the documentary, and 30% of the funds raised through this campaign will be donated equally to Canine Companions, Eyes Ears Nose and Paws, and Wounded Warrior Project.
Will supporters get to see the film?
Yes! Once the film is complete, all financial supporters will receive a private viewing link to watch A Gift to Ghost. We also plan to pursue film festivals before a wider public release.
What will the funds be used for?
Funds will help cover the final costs of post-production, film festival submissions, marketing, and distribution so we can finish A Gift to Ghost and bring it to a wider audience.
Is the documentary already filmed?
Yes, production is complete and the film has been edited. We’re raising funds to complete the remaining post-production work and support the film’s festival and distribution journey.
What happens if you don't reach your fundraising goal?
This is a keep-what-you-raise campaign, so every contribution helps regardless of whether we reach our full goal. Funds will be put toward completing and distributing the film, with 30% still going to the three organizations.
How else can I help?
Sharing the campaign can be just as valuable as donating. Send it to friends, family, veterans, service dog communities, or anyone you think might connect with the film and its message.
