Spotlight on Verona Native at Film Fest Time

The Wisconsin Film Festival is running now through April 10th, showcasing independent films, documentaries, international gems, and homegrown stories. While My Dead Friend Zoe isn’t part of this year’s official lineup, the timing felt perfect to highlight one of our own—Verona native Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, who recently made his directorial debut with this powerful new film.

The 2024 comedy-drama follows Merit, a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran (played by Sonequa Martin-Green) as she copes with the loss of her best friend, Zoe (Natalie Morales), and navigates a strained relationship with her Vietnam veteran grandfather, played by Ed Harris.

With a stellar supporting cast—including Morgan Freeman, Gloria Reuben, and Utkarsh Ambudkar—the film earned the Audience Award at SXSW and had a limited theatrical release in early 2025.

Now streaming on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home - find it here.