
About Straight Ahead Films

Straight Ahead Films is a company that believes in the power of storytelling to effect positive change for patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.
We believe, wholeheartedly, that these short fiction films can help Counselors - who are on the front lines - to break through the fog of denial by creating identification and empathy. We hope that we can add a powerful tool that you can use effectively.
It combines the twin passions of Founder Neal Hemphill’s life - Recovery and Storytelling. Facing up to AUD is an emotional journey, and this is where stories can help. Good, real stories touch the emotions, and once that happens the skills of good counselors along with our discussion materials can help patients to take those essential early steps toward recovery.
These stories come from the struggles of active AUD and recovery from it, and they’re made to be as realistic and true to life experience as possible.
It is by getting to one’s heart that opens the door to change, and to recovery.
Straight Ahead Films is here for that. We’re all ears as to learning what you need and how best to help you in your incredible, life-saving work.
Our first six films are but a mere beginning. There is much in the works to widen the scope of stories and to include Substance Use Disorder stories as well.

About The Founder


Neal Hemphill
Neal Hemphill is a filmmaker and actor. He is in long-term recovery with over 35 years of Sober Lived Experience, and is the Founder of Straight Ahead Films.
Straight Ahead Films brings together two of Neal’s great passions in life - Storytelling and Recovery!
As a filmmaker, he loves to focus in on those moments and situations where life-changing decisions are made. He works to create dynamic stories of struggle, courage, community, and recovery.
Neal has worked extensively as a stage actor in National and International Tours, Regional Theatre, and Off-Broadway. As a screen actor, he’s worked in Hollywood and Independent Films as well as network television.
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He learned the craft of filmmaking at NYC’s The Independent Film School, studying screenwriting, directing, and producing. The work was hands-on with a core group of actors, and it was here that Neal discovered the power of telling real stories about the struggles of AUD and recovery.
“If I can give back even a tiny part of what’s been given to me, I’ll be passing it on to the next person who needs to hear the message of recovery.”