A New Independent Feature Film
Still haunted by his father’s death in a fire four years ago, a young man’s only solace is an old boat he keeps at the home of his dad’s mentor – a guilt-ridden man now slipping into dementia. But when the house is put up for sale, he must finally let someone new onto the boat or lose the last piece of his father forever.
Principal Cast
Netflix’s Outer Banks and The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist, and The CW’s Dynasty
HBO Max’s The Pitt and Netflix’s Rebel Moon
Netflix’s Zero Day, NBC’s The Blacklist, The CW’s Gossip Girl, and CBS’s Blue Bloods
creative team
stephen miles
Writer, Director
jennifer chapman
Line Producer, Unit Production Manager
emily vandorn
First Assistant Director, Producer
Hampton boyer
Production Designer
nia safarr banks
Costume Designer
about 72 whaler
72 Whaler is an independent feature film written and directed by Stephen Miles and produced in Virginia by Thanks Loads and Scribble Cinema.
Set against the shorelines and historic landscapes of Coastal Virginia, the film is rooted in a strong sense of place while telling a quietly powerful story. At its heart, 72 Whaler explores what we carry forward and what it means to let go.
The production brings together a collaborative team of Virginia-based artists and crew while contributing to the growing momentum of independent filmmaking across the Commonwealth.
Set to film in July 2026, the feature stars Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Daisy H. Davis, and Joseph Adams.
As director Stephen Miles describes it, 72 Whaler is “a quiet, messy, deeply human story about grief, connection, and the fear of letting go.”
Support the Film
72 Whaler is an independently produced feature film made possible through the support of individuals and businesses who believe in meaningful storytelling.
The film is currently in active pre-production, with a core budget in place and additional support being sought to fully realize the scope of the project. We are currently seeking additional support for production and post-production needs including:
Supporting additional crew and on-set personnel
Wardrobe and costume needs
On-set comfort and safety infrastructure (including shaded, climate-controlled rest areas for cast and crew)
Transportation and fuel costs
Catering and craft services
Sound, score, and post-production finishing costs
Festival submission and distribution expenses
We also welcome partnership and in-kind support opportunities, including locations, catering, transportation, equipment, and other production resources.
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