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2025

The Other Side of the Sea

Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund Grantee

  • Samuel Suffren, Director
  • Gaëthan Chancy, Producer
  • Gilbert Mirambeau Jr., Producer
Vanessa and Tamara stand close together, smiling brightly as they take a selfie on a smartphone. Vanessa, in a royal blue top with long braids and hoop earrings, holds the phone out in front of them, while Tamara, dressed in a patterned outfit, leans in beside her. Both women radiate joy, their wide smiles filling the frame. Just behind them, Vanessa’s husband embraces someone tightly, his face pressed against a shoulder. The moment is tender yet bittersweet—Vanessa and Tamara are capturing one last photo t

About the Project

Gang violence in Port-au-Prince is escalating. Like a visual journal, within the confines of my home, my camera bears witness to the forced departure of my two sisters, possibly my brother, and my niece. I find myself grappling with the same dilemma: to stay or to leave.

Project Team

    Samuel Suffren headshot

    Samuel Suffren

    Samuel Suffren is a rising voice in the new generation of Haitian filmmakers, working as a director, producer, and festival director. His trilogy of short films has screened at prestigious festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Locarno, FESPACO, and won numerous prizes. He is known for an experimental style that blurs the lines between fiction, documentary, and photography. The Other Side of the Sea, a strictly documentary feature, follows his own family as they plan to leave Haiti. He is also developing his debut fiction feature, My Name is Nina Shakira.

    Gaëthan Chancy Producer Headshot

    Gaëthan Chancy

    Gaëthan Chancy is a Haitian producer based in Washington, DC. In 2007, he co-founded Muska Group, an audiovisual production company in Port-au-Prince. He has produced numerous commercials and institutional films that earned international recognition. In 2015, he co-produced Lakou Kajou, Haiti’s first educational TV program for children. Two years later, he produced the mid-length feature Kafou, which won multiple awards. He later served as executive producer on the short documentary Braves (2021). His first feature as producer, Kidnapping Inc., premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

    Gilbert Mirambeau Jr - Producer Headshot

    Gilbert Mirambeau Jr.

    Gilbert Mirambeau Jr. is a producer, writer, and activist based in Haiti. He is the general manager of Muska Group, a leading production company specializing in advertising. In 2015, he co-founded Muska Films and produced his first mid-length film, Kafou (2017), which won multiple awards. In 2022, he executive-produced the short documentary Brave, pre-selected at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and honored with several prizes. His debut feature, Kidnapping Inc., premiered at Sundance in 2024. Gilbert is also an alumnus of the Producers Labs at Locarno, Berlin, Eurodoc, and Cannes.