In August 2001, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, a recent high school graduate from Wisconsin, enlisted in the Army to seek adventure. However, the events of 9/11 led him to Iraq, where he served as a paratrooper. As his enlistment neared its end, a stop-loss order extended his service involuntarily. Despite his desire to attend film school, a conversation with his colonel changed his trajectory. Recognizing Hausmann-Stokes' talent for filmmaking, the colonel exempted him from the stop-loss, urging him to pursue film school and become a voice for soldiers in Hollywood.
Enrolling at USC's film school, Hausmann-Stokes embarked on his filmmaking journey, culminating in his feature film debut, 'My Dead Friend Zoe,' a dark comedy premiering at SXSW. The movie, based on his experiences, aims to portray a nuanced perspective of military life, often overlooked in Hollywood's portrayal of veterans.
