2026 Filmmaker in Residence
Happy Family follows the return of an estranged father who, with advanced Parkinson’s and nowhere to go, is taken in by the women he once left behind—his ex-wife and four daughters—suddenly tasked with keeping him alive. Set inside a home over the course of a year, a fractured family is brought back together through the unexpected labor of caregiving. In the daily repetition of meals, medicine, laughter, and fighting, the film explores the emotional complexity of caring for those who have failed us, and what it means to forgive and let go.
Zoe Potkin (Director / Producer) is a New York–based documentary filmmaker whose work is rooted in an observational, character-driven approach shaped by long-term immersion and intimacy. She often films her own material, working closely with participants over extended periods and bringing a strong visual sensibility informed by her photographic practice. She was named to DOC NYC’s “40 Under 40” list, has received the New York State Council of the Arts Individual Artist’s grant, and her projects have participated in the Gotham film Labs and Gotham Market. She produced the Emmy-nominated "Take Care of Maya," which premiered at Tribeca and was released on Netflix, and is currently producing feature documentaries with Story Syndicate and Edgeline Films while working on her directorial debut.
Project description and bios courtesy of the Resident