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Logline

Three rat friends set out on a worldwide mission to change how we see their species, guiding us through real-world stories from humans and fellow rats that reveal how one of humanity’s most loathed animals has advanced science, saved lives, shaped culture, and become our companions; challenging everything we think we know about rats and what it truly means to be a hero.

Synopsis

For centuries, rats have been feared, misunderstood, and blamed for some of humanity’s greatest misfortunes. But what if we’ve been telling the wrong story about rats all along?

Determined to rewrite their species’ reputation, three rats: Samantha, Arelia, and Michael set out on a worldwide adventure to change the way the world sees rats.

Each brings a unique perspective. Samantha, the compassionate heart of the group, explores the powerful bonds between humans and animals. Arelia, passionate about science, uncovers rats’ contributions to medicine and research. Michael, the group’s serious professor, brings history and cultural insight, gradually discovering there’s more to life than facts and explanations.

Together, they enlist scientists, humanitarians, conservationists, and unexpected allies to reveal how rats have advanced science, protected ecosystems, saved lives, shaped culture, and become beloved companions.

Blending documentary filmmaking with scripted adventures and animation, Hero.Rat brings these real-world discoveries to life through the eyes of its mischievous trio. As their journey unfolds, their contrasting personalities spark humor, disagreements, and surprising discoveries that challenge not only the world’s assumptions about rats but also their own understanding of friendship, connection, and heroism.

What begins as a mission to redeem one of the world’s most misunderstood animals becomes a heartfelt, humorous exploration of fear, perception, compassion, and the extraordinary impact of the overlooked.

Ultimately, Hero.Rat invites audiences to look beyond fear and stereotypes, embrace curiosity and empathy, and discover that sometimes the greatest heroes come from the most unexpected places.

Meet the Filmmakers

Jennifer Smith — Producer/Director
Jennifer Smith is a creative executive, producer, and music supervisor with over fifteen years of experience across film, television, documentary, and emerging media. As Founder of Rat Dance Party and a Board Member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, she has helped shape the creative direction and music of projects across Netflix, Paramount+, Disney+, MTV, Apple, and Fox. Some of her documentary credits include the Emmy-winning Black Barbie (Netflix), Uncharted (Paramount+), and Behind The Music (Paramount+).

Rats have been part of Jennifer’s life since she was five years old, sparking a lifelong mission to change the way the world sees these intelligent, misunderstood animals. As the creator and producer of Hero.Rat, she brings together her entertainment industry experience and personal passion to create a blending documentary filmmaking with scripted storytelling. Through humor, heart, and remarkable real-world stories, Jennifer hopes to inspire audiences to look beyond their assumptions, recognize the extraordinary contributions of these misunderstood animals, and discover that even the most unlikely among us can make a difference.

Julie Lawrence — EIC
Julie Lawrence is a seasoned production executive and producer with extensive experience in premium documentary and unscripted filmmaking. As an Executive in Charge at Blink49 Studios, she brings a wealth of experience overseeing complex productions for leading networks, studios, and streaming platforms, including Paramount+, HBO, Netflix, Entertainment One, and Animal Planet. Her expertise spans production management, international logistics, budgeting, and financial oversight, with a proven track record of guiding projects from development through delivery.

As part of the Hero.Rat producing team, Julie brings the strategic leadership and production expertise needed to execute an ambitious, internationally focused documentary feature. Her ability to balance creative vision with disciplined production management helps position “Hero.Rat” for successful execution on a global scale.

Katie Fellion — Post Production Producer
Katie Fellion is an accomplished post-production executive with extensive experience leading creative and technical operations across premium film and television. With executive leadership experience at Fox Entertainment, Netflix, and Light Iron (a Panavision company), she has overseen global post-production strategy, developed innovative workflows, and built collaborative partnerships that support filmmakers in bringing ambitious projects to life.

For Hero.Rat, Katie brings the strategic leadership and technical expertise needed to navigate the complexities of a cinematic documentary–narrative hybrid. From editorial and visual effects to sound, music, color, and final delivery, her experience ensures that creative ambition is supported by efficient workflows, exceptional quality, and a cohesive cinematic vision.

Lindsay Giggey, Ph.D — Archival Producer
Lindsay Giggey, Ph.D is a documentary researcher, scholar, and archival producer specializing in the intersection of history, media, and nonfiction storytelling. Combining academic expertise with hands-on production experience, she brings a thoughtful approach to uncovering compelling stories and translating complex research into engaging cinematic narratives. Her credits include Behind the Music, The FireAid Benefit Concert, and The Albies, the awards ceremony associated with George and Amal Clooney’s Clooney Foundation for Justice. She has also taught documentary filmmaking and media studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

For Hero.Rat, Lindsay brings the research expertise and historical perspective needed to explore the remarkable scientific, cultural, and historical contributions of rats. Her work helps ensure the film’s discoveries are grounded in credible research while being presented through accessible, emotionally engaging storytelling.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact [email protected].