Earth Mama
Guests Expected
Savanah Leaf, Tia Nomore, Keta Price
Description
A single mother in Oakland navigates the foster care system while making a living at a family portrait studio in this intimate coming-of-age story. Based on lived experiences from SFFILM-supported writer-director Savanah Leaf, the film follows Gia (portrayed by local musician Tia Nomore) who warily sizes up her surroundings and would-be allies, as she prepares for another child. Lush cinematography, assured direction, and humorous performances infuse this film with a shimmering authenticity rarely seen in debuts. In this drama made predominantly with a Bay Area crew, preconceptions of women with children in foster care are carefully examined and discarded, as Leaf presents a tender, textured, and surprisingly funny portrayal of motherhood.
A former volleyball player, who competed in the 2012 Olympics, British Filmmaker Savanah Leaf directed music videos for Gary Clark Jr.’s “This Land,” for which she received a Grammy nomination, and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On.” Her short film, The Heart Still Hums (2020), won Best Short Documentary awards at the Blackstar, Nashville, and Palm Springs International Film Festivals. She makes her feature debut with Earth Mama, the recipient of an SFFILM Rainin Grant.
Film Details
LanguageEnglish
Year2023
Runtime100
CountryUSA
DirectorSavanah Leaf
ProducerCody Ryder, Shirley O'Connor, Medb Riorda, Sam Bisbee, Savanah Leaf, Danielle Massie
Executive ProducerJames Wilson, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Lance Acord, Simon Cooper, Cameron Washington, Christine D'Souza Gelb, David Kimbangi, Ben Coren
WriterSavanah Leaf
EditorGeorge Cragg
CinematographerJody Lee Lipes
MusicKelsey Lu
CastTia Nomore, Erika Alexander, Keta Price
Closed CaptionsYes, closed captions are available for this screening. Please let us know if you would like a device when purchasing your ticket or by emailing ADA@SFFilm.org.
Audio DescriptionAudio Descriptions are not currently confirmed and will be updated soon.
American Sign Language (ASL) InterpretationAmerican Sign Language Interpretation is not currently confirmed and will be updated. For any questions about accessibility at SFFILM Events, please email ADA@SFFilm.org.
