Spencer
Nutella waffles, racing boats, drawing, and their cherished rituals, the hardest goodbye a father and son must face…
Project type:Fiction Short
Project status: Development
Writer/Director: Harper Sharpe
Producer: Miyana Holden
Producer: Leah Malamed
Producer: Henry Hwang
Director of Photography: Chris Sein
Email: mjh7825@nyu.edu
Instagram: @spencerthefilm
Help independent filmmakers tell their stories.
Make a donation to Spencer today.
Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring Spencer to life.
Logline
Synopsis
SPENCER (2026) is an intimate character drama about love, loss, and the impossible choices faced by a parent whose body is failing him, and the son who doesn’t understand.
Robert, a weary widower in his sixties, has devoted his life to caring for his son, Spencer, a bright, endlessly curious young man with Williams Syndrome. Their days are simple, structured, and full of small rituals: Nutella waffles, documentaries, and Spencer’s endless fascination with racing boats. But Robert’s worsening illness forces an unthinkable decision: he must arrange for Spencer to move into an Independent Living Center, a facility for adults with special needs.
As the film unfolds through quiet moments, tender routines, and devastating conversations, Robert struggles to prepare his son and himself for separation. When he finally breaks the news, Spencer’s world collapses. His outburst spirals into confusion, fear, and heartbreak. Alone in his room, Spencer retreats into obsessive behaviors to cope, while Robert faces his own physical collapse under the weight of guilt and love.
Told with semi-soft structure, allowing for naturalism, improvisation, and authentic performance from Hudson Sharpe, a young man with Williams Syndrome, SPENCER is a deeply human exploration of caregiving, independence, and the fragile boundary between holding on and letting go.
Meet the Filmmakers
Harper Sharpe — Director
Harper Sharpe is a 4th year student at TISCH Film and Television Program from Detroit, MI, and Austin, TX. His film Righteous Walk (2022) premiered at received a Best Short Film award at the 29th annual San Antonio Film Festival, before going on to screen at the Austin and Short Film Showcase. He is currently in post-production for an avant-garde allegory titled La Coopérative
Leah Malamed — Producer
Leah Malamed is a French producer and NYU senior specializing in film development, festival strategy, and global audience engagement. She has produced multiple short films and has worked across festival strategy, development, and marketing at companies such as Universal Pictures and Walden Media. With experience at the Cannes Film Festival and in international distribution and film festival research, she brings a sharp understanding of how films travel and resonate. Leah is committed to championing bold, impactful, and emotionally Resonant stories by emerging creators.
Miyana Holden – Producer
Miyana Holden is a New York City–based producer originally from Detroit. She studies Film & Television at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and has produced content for The Players’ Tribune during the NBA Draft, as well as the NBA G League, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets. With a strong foundation in production and post, Miyana focuses on developing culturally resonant stories that elevate athletes and artists, drive representation, and shape the future of sports media.
Make a donation to Spenser.
Contact
For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.