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Laura Somers is a writer, director, editor, and producer known for her bold storytelling, empathetic characters, and vision-driven filmmaking. She made her feature directorial debut with Rich Kids, a no-budget drama shot in her hometown of Houston, Texas. Funded through Seed & Spark and created without name actors, Rich Kids went on to win 16 festival awards and premiered on Netflix in February 2020, with global sales - uncommon for indie dramas of its kind.
Her second feature, Rise and Shine, stars Rachel Bay Jones, Danny Burstein, and Ana Sharp. Based on a true story, the film centers on a mother and daughter navigating life with cerebral palsy. The role marks Sharp's theatrical debut as a neurodiverse actress, furthering Somers' commitment to inclusive and authentic storytelling.
Her work often centers on individuals who live outside the mainstream-outcasts, fighters, and quiet revolutionaries. She explores themes of dignity, agency, and identity, frequently subverting stereotypes and highlighting unexpected strength in her characters.
Somers also directs in short form and podcasts. Her short film Tough Enough, starring Indigenous filmmaker and actor Litefoot, dramatizes the story of Frankie Groves, the first girl to play high school football in Texas. In the audio space, her dark comedy podcast Cypress Creek reached #5 on Apple's Fiction Podcast charts in 2024.
As a director, she has been selected for fellowships and mentorships including Women In Film and Film Independent, and has received support from organizations such as Banana Republic, Vanity Fair, IBM, UCLA, and the City of Austin. Her work has been featured in American Theatre Magazine, New York Magazine, Remezcla, Vanity Fair, and more.
Somers actively supports emerging talent through mentorships with the WGA East Emerson Program, the Collier Fellowship, and the Veteran's Writing Project/Wounded Warrior. She has taught acting at Austin Community College and served as a programmer for the Anchorage International Film Festival. She holds a BFA in Theater Directing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a graduate of UCLA's Professional Program in Screenwriting.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Somers has lived across the country, gaining insight into a wide range of American communities. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.
