By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival is having a front-row seat for the bright future of independent filmmaking. While we can learn a lot about the filmmakers from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival through the art that these storytellers share with us, there’s always more we can learn about them as people. We decided to get to the bottom of those artistic wells with our ongoing series: Give Me the Backstory!
In a case of art imitating life, the Turner Brothers’ series FreeLance — whose first episode is premiering as part of the Episodic Fiction Pilot Showcase at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival — follows a 20-something aspiring filmmaker as he joins a house full of creatives all looking to make their mark. Hilarity ensues as the friends take on odd jobs to pay their rent and fund their dreams. “We built this from our lives, two Midwest kids figuring it out with a crew of friends who were doing the same,” say Julien and Justen Turner. And that Midwest identifier is important. The Turner Brothers are from Illinois, and FreeLance takes place in Ohio — a far cry from locales like Los Angeles that attract young content creators in droves.
“We kept collecting wild, funny stories and realized how relatable it could be, but there were not a lot of these stories being told from our perspective at scale,” explain the brothers. “With hype-house culture everywhere, we wanted a version centered on a male friend group, real friendship, real mess.” And as many a storyteller knows, out of real mess and chaos can come some of the most compelling and memorable on-screen moments.
“One of our favorite parts was the extensive improvisation on set, especially during the wedding sequence. The entire backroom scene, intercut with the climax, was completely improvised,” recount the brothers. “We showed up at the location, found this really cool storage room with interactive props, and let the environment guide us. It became pretty meta, which is hilarious. Watching comedians who had just met bounce ideas off each other was unforgettable.”
Below, learn more about the brothers and their creative process, including how their mom’s computer kickstarted their filmmaking journey and how direct-messaging comedians led to instant improv chemistry in FreeLance.
Describe whom you want FreeLance to reach.
Our goal is to captivate zillennial and Gen Z comedy fans who see the humor in the way we all interact with the internet. We’re targeting young creatives, entrepreneurs, and even families as our core audience while ensuring our content is inviting to anyone eager to join in on the laughs.
Tell us an anecdote about casting or working with your actors.
Our aim was to gather a diverse mix of comedic styles, which resulted in a wide range of perspectives, hoping the audience could connect with at least one character. We direct-messaged comedians we loved and somehow convinced them to fly to Ohio for a weekend. On set, the chemistry snapped instantly, improv flew, camera moves became choreography, and whole sequences (like the wedding backroom chaos) were built on the spot. It felt like jazz.
Why does this story need to be told now?
Now is the perfect time to share this story as we navigate a new era in entertainment. With the ability to create narratives from wherever we are, using the resources we have, we can craft stories that truly reflect our generation’s experiences. Such narratives have the power to inspire and make a meaningful impact.
Tell us why and how you got into filmmaking.
Our journey into filmmaking began as kids, sneaking into our mom’s computer room to explore her MacBook, where we became fascinated with iMovie. This early interest led us to study film with the dedication of athletes — Julien gravitating toward narrative storytelling and Justen toward the technical aspects. A pivotal moment came when our parents took us to see The Karate Kid. Inspired, we decided to pursue filmmaking seriously. Justen, influenced by Jaden Smith’s character, began his own dreadlock journey; that spirit became Dreadhead Films. And our mission is to entertain, inspire, and uplift.
Why is filmmaking important to you? Why is it important to the world?
Television and film helped raise us. They taught us values and showed us possibility. We make films to reflect the communities we didn’t see growing up, especially for a new generation. Film uniquely captures the depth of human emotion, making it an essential medium for global impact. Those who master this craft possess the power to influence the world positively.
Films are lasting artistic legacies; what do you want yours to say?
Start. Even if it’s imperfect, even if it’s small, start. FreeLance is a love letter to first steps and the faith to keep going. If it pushes a new wave of DIY storytellers to pick up a camera and bet on themselves, that’s the legacy.
If you weren’t filmmakers, what would you be doing?
Music. Our parents are musicians; we grew up between jazz band, orchestra, church gigs, and musicals. That rhythm still drives our visuals, and every scene has a tempo.
What is something that all filmmakers should keep in mind in order to become better cinematic storytellers?
Find your lane and embrace it. Tell the stories you can’t stop thinking about over and over until your instincts become a style. Repetition can sharpen your voice.
Who are your creative heroes?
Our parents were our first creative heroes, raising us in a household that celebrated creative risks and viewed artistic careers as legitimate pursuits. This environment was a true blessing, shaping our tastes in humor, music, and audience through admiration for their work. Beyond our family, we draw inspiration from icons like the Hughes Brothers, John Singleton, Robert Townsend, Spike Lee. Those who took bold risks to tell bold stories.
What was the last thing you saw that you wish you made?
Severance. Awesome.
One thing people don’t know about us is _____.
We do some photography and we’re both art directors at Abercrombie & Fitch (yes, HQ is in Columbus). Justen on social, Julien on editorial at Hollister.
Which of your personal characteristics contributes most to your success as a storyteller?
We treat set like a team sport. Trust your instincts, trust your crew, value every position. Justen learned shooting solo on football sidelines; Julien was an all-conference linebacker at Morehouse — collaboration is our default.
Tell us about your history with Sundance Institute. When was the first time you engaged with us? Why did you want your project to premiere with us?
This is our first time and it’s a huge honor. We’ve built an audience from the ground up; Sundance is the perfect stage for a story that’s both specific and universal. A story about film independence.
Who was the first person you told when you learned you got into the Sundance Film Festival?
The first person we shared our news with was our mom, who has been a steadfast part of our journey from the very beginning. Having an accountant as a mother was a blessing, guiding us through important financial discussions even in our teenage years and managing budgets beyond our capabilities. This project has truly been a labor of love. While we honed our directing skills, our mom embraced the role of line producer and earned her executive producer credit. We couldn’t wait to tell her she is now a Sundance executive producer.
What’s your favorite film that has come from the Sundance Institute or Festival?
Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station
