My Dead Friend Zoe Gets Exclusive Screening for Troops
Thom Tran brought SXSW short to service members with cast joining him for post-film Q&A!
Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.
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Thom Tran, the comic actor and veteran influencer, recently turned a military tent in Southern California into a makeshift cinema to share the SXSW-selected short film My Dead Friend Zoe with a Joint Task Force of service members. In an Instagram post, Tran wrote, “Had the honor & pleasure of screening @mydeadfriendzoe to a tent full of soldiers & airmen (and one sailor) who are part of a Joint Task Force working here in SoCal. Thanks to fellow veterans and the Director @kylehausmannstokes & @jamesbane & @richardmmilanesi for attending and doing the panel afterward.”
Bringing Cinema To The Frontlines
Tran’s impromptu event drew a mixed audience of Army, Air Force and Naval personnel stationed in the region. Under canvas, rows of folding chairs faced a projector screen where the 20-minute drama-comedy short unfolded. Co-director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, producer James Bane and co-producer Richard M. Milanesi joined Tran after the viewing to break down the film’s themes in a live Q&A. The panel touched on the film’s genesis, shooting on a micro-budget and the challenges of blending comedy with poignant subject matter.
From Festival Debut To Military Audience
My Dead Friend Zoe premiered at South by Southwest in March, marking its first major festival appearance. In an earlier Instagram reveal, Tran celebrated the SXSW slot and his collaboration with Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green: “I’ve been waiting MONTHS to post that first photo but now that ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ has premiered at @SXSW … So great working with @therealsonequa on #MDFZ!” The short centers on a group of teenagers who attempt to resurrect their lost friend Zoe, blending supernatural thrills with a meditation on grief and growing up.
Screening the film for service members carries special resonance. Tran, a U.S. Air Force veteran, said he wanted to give back to a community he knows well. His career has included stints entertaining troops overseas and headlining military spouse festivals. Last October, he performed stand-up at MilSpouse Fest in Camp Lejeune, drawing laughs from the Army community before embarking on comedy tours in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
By bringing an award-season darling to a forward-deployed audience, Tran underscores the power of storytelling to bridge civilian and military life. Attendees told local press they appreciated a chance to see thought-provoking content outside standard morale-boosting fare. One airman noted, “It’s rare to catch a film this moving without heading into town. This felt like a thank-you for our service.”
The post-screening panel also offered insights into independent filmmaking logistics. Bane discussed funding strategies and festival submissions. Milanesi shared tips on crew coordination, while Hausmann-Stokes fielded questions about balancing tone and subject. For many service members, the discussion provided a glimpse behind the scenes of a high-profile festival hit.
Tran’s Instagram gallery from the event captured candid moments: saluting soldiers before the lights dimmed, the film’s title card glowing on canvas, and the post-show chat on a portable stage. A final group shot showed uniformed attendees lined up with the creative team, smiling for the camera.
With plans to expand these screenings to bases nationwide, Tran and his collaborators hope to bring independent cinema to audiences who often lack easy access to festival circuits. As film festivals reopen and touring resumes, this military-first approach offers a fresh distribution avenue—and a reminder that art can thrive off-screen.
Looking ahead, the team is eyeing a fall release on digital platforms and private screenings within the veteran community. For Tran, it’s part of a broader mission: blending humor, heart and firsthand experience to create content that resonates both on base and beyond.
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