Phil Hessler

Matthew and his girlfriend Dangmo dream of starting a life together in the U.S., but when her visa is unexpectedly denied, their future is thrown into limbo. Struggling with the cold reality of immigration barriers, Matthew seeks help from his lawyer, only to be left “on hold” as his world unravels. Blending grounded drama with surreal visual storytelling, Can I Put You On Hold explores the pressures of long-distance love, the excessive weight of bureaucracy, and the sacrifices people make to be together.

Haunted by two tours in Iraq, a former Army combat engineer finds himself unraveling. But when Hurricane Helene devastates the Southeast, he volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response team.