Celebrating Amir Labored: Gerson Family Foundation Award Nominee

We’re proud to celebrate Amir Labored, whose short film Brotherly Love has been nominated for the Gerson Family Foundation Award, an honor recognizing an exceptional filmmaker from the Reel Works Narrative Lab.

Rooted in Amir’s own experience as a middle child, Brotherly Love is a heartfelt and comedic take on sibling dynamics. The film follows an older brother tasked with watching his two younger siblings—and the chaos that follows. It’s a story about responsibility, mischief, and the balancing act in between. Personal yet widely relatable, Amir’s voice shines through with humor and emotional honesty.

“I love finding ways to make real-life situations feel cinematic and meaningful.” Amir said. “Even the funniest or most chaotic moments can have an emotional core, and that’s what I try to capture in my films.”

Amir draws inspiration from the everyday—infusing his stories with warmth, comedy, and a deep love for storytelling. Influenced by YouTube creators like Sidemen and Beta Squad, he sees humor as a powerful storytelling tool. His passion for football and filmmaking continues to shape the kinds of narratives he hopes to tell.

Before joining Reel Works, Amir explored storytelling through writing. But it was the Narrative Lab that gave him the tools to bring his ideas to life on screen. His first film, The Robbery, remains especially meaningful—it was created in collaboration with a close friend who has since passed.

Amir credits his mentor for helping him find the balance between structure and spontaneity. “I’ve learned that sometimes the best moments come from letting things unfold naturally,” he said.

Each year, the Daniel Gerson Memorial Fund for the Arts honors a standout Narrative Lab student whose passion for filmmaking reflects the legacy of Daniel Gerson—screenwriter of Big Hero 6 and Monsters, Inc., and a champion for emerging talent. The Gerson Family Foundation’s support empowers young creators like Amir to share their stories and shape the future of storytelling.