The film My Dead Friend Zoe (MDFZ) explores the complexities of PTSD among veterans in unique ways, including using comedy, intergenerational healing, and highlighting the casualties of war in a way rarely, if ever, presented before. It is the first film financed using green energy tax credits and was produced by Legion M, the first fan-owned entertainment company. In addition to raising awareness about the realities of PTSD for veterans and inspiring veterans to access treatment, MDFZ surpassed $1.3 million at the box office and won the 2024 Audience Award at SXS in 2024.

This panel will do a deep dive into the film including exploring motivations for making the film, addressing challenges and push back to reaching the film’s vision, the impact campaign and connections to NGOs addressing veteran’s mental health needs and pervasive gun violence in our communities, unique ways of measuring impact and the challenges, rewards and implications of using fan-owned financing.

Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, Writer, Producer, Director, MFDZ. Mr. Hausmann-Stokes served in the US Army for 5 years as a paratrooper and received the Bronze Star in Iraq. He is the founder/owner of Blue Three Productions, a production company that has produced dozens of campaigns about the military, veterans and mental health. He is the co-founder of Veterans in Media & Entertainment, (VM&E,) the largest professional veteran x entertainment industry organization in Hollywood. Mr. Hausmann-Stokes will discuss his vision and motivation for making the film, why he chose to tell the story through two women of color, the film’s impact on viewers, and his work with VM&E, the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Everytown for Gun Safety.

Paul Scanlan, CEO and co-founder, Legion M. Legion M is a fan-owned media company that contributed to the production of MDFZ. Mr. Scanlan will discuss how the fan-owned model works, why they chose to invest in MDFZ, and the potential and important role of fan-owned media to fund SIE projects.

Todd Duso, CFO and COO, Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF). Television journalist Bob Woodruff was severely injured in 2026 by a roadside bomb while reporting for ABC in Iraq. After recovering from extensive treatment, he founded BWF. As the CFO and COO, Mr. Duso brings his extensive experience from the private and public sectors- and as an Army Veteran – to his executive leadership positions and promotion of the organization’s mission. Mr. Duso will discuss the foundation’s work, his partnership with Mr. Hausmann-Stokes and how MDFZ contributed to raising awareness and increasing the impact of improving veterans’ lives and the communities that support them.

Jane Brown, International Entertainment- Education Producer/ Social and Behavior Change Advisor will moderate the panel.