About the Film
Emily Hope began as a film about green burial and the ways we prepare for death. Seven years ago, Ben met Emily and asked why she had agreed to talk with him.
“Because everybody's gonna die” Emily said. “And how you die and how you're celebrated in the end, I think it really matters."
Emily was a mother living with terminal illness and facing an impossible question: how do you prepare your young daughter for a life without you? As filming continued, the story became less about dying and more about parenting, love, honesty, and the courage required to tell the truth.
Filmed intimately over several years, the film follows Emily, her daughter Ruby and husband Rob as they navigate what it means to prepare for loss while continuing to live.
We are excited to be partnering with Squawk Productions for hand-drawn animation and composer Andy Thompson for original scoring.
The film is in the final stages of post-production, with final completion anticipated in fall 2026.
The Filmmakers
Ben Garvin
Director, Cinematographer / DP
Ben Garvin is a Minneapolis-based documentary filmmaker and photojournalist with more than 25 years of experience telling intimate, human-centered stories. His work has earned multiple Emmys, Edward R. Murrow Awards and an Alfred I. duPont–Columbia Award for Love Them First, which he co-directed with Lindsey Seavert.
Lindsey Seavert
Director / Producer
Lindsey Seavert is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, producer and writer with more than two decades of experience in journalism and storytelling. Her work centers on illuminating untold stories with authenticity and heart. She co-directed Love Them First with Ben Garvin, winner of the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia Award.
Renny McCauley
Editor / Story Producer
Renny McCauley is a longtime editor whose documentary work has streamed on PBS, Netflix and Amazon Prime and screened at film festivals around the world. He brings a thoughtful, creative approach to shaping character-driven stories.