Ladder Production Films
Little Minds on the Prairie
Eight years. Six cities. A generation looking for a place in the world.
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The story
Across conversations and encounters filmed from 2010 to 2018, artists and young people search for community, stability and belonging. Interviews trace subculture, homelessness, sobriety and the communities people create around themselves. The passing years become part of the story.
Produced, written, directed, and edited by Andy Denson.
Cast
Agou Bior, Andy Denson, Angelina Denson, Anna Yamamoto, Aaron Simon, Adam Marcantoni, Brittany Vicars, Brazil Knapp, Brian Lindell, Cecily Botelho, Che Melodic, Christina LaFon, Claire Siebers, Cristina Boyd, David Muslimov, Emil Daubon, Emily Tallman, Ethan Reece, Giulia Gurevitz, Jake Brasch, Jordan Canjar, Kat Kolouch, Kate McGonigle, Kendall Burke, Lucrecia Denson, Martin Kohn, Mikayla Chukes, Nguyen Pham, Quentin LaPorte, Rachel Knapp, Sage Iman, Sheldon Valdez, Skylar White, Sophie Morris, Terrence Redic, Tyriq Swingler, Vanja Jerenic, Walker Thulson, Yasmine Hill, Zoya Brou.
Film presentation
Inside Little Minds on the Prairie
Eight years. Six cities. A generation looking for a place in the world.
- Form
- Documentary feature
- Completed
- 2018
- Production
- 2010–2018 · six cities
- Online version
- 1 hour 45 minutes 28 seconds
Download the film presentation (PDF)
10 slides · Story, people, creative approach and programming.
People, seen over time
An ensemble documentary brings together artists, friends and family, with one chapter for each year. Participants include Cecily Botelho, Cristina Boyd, Jake Brasch, Lucrecia Denson, Sage Iman and Zoya Brou.
The beginning of a body of work
Ladder’s first feature brought together a circle of collaborators who recur across its films. Its attention to people, place and community precedes Andy Denson’s later work in Cebu.
For programmers and educators
The film opens conversations about artist communities, personal archives, longitudinal filmmaking and belonging. Screening, editorial and licensing arrangements are discussed individually.
For screening, distribution, licensing or press inquiries: ladderproductionsllc@gmail.com. Ladder Production Films · Cebu City, Philippines.
From the early archive
Frames from the original Little Minds on the Prairie trailer preserve the project’s early visual diary.
More from the archive
- Dead Musician Fan Club2018 production · 2019 online release
- The Yellow HotelCompleted · Cebuano comedy feature
Updated 2 November 2026