Oscar-Nominated Filmmaker Releases First Feature for Free on YouTube

In 2025, Courtney Marsh, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, has taken an unconventional path with the release of her first feature film, "Where Did the Adults Go?". Marsh, whose short documentary "Chau, Beyond the Lines" was nominated for an Academy Award in 2016, had always envisioned a career in narrative filmmaking. However, the momentum from her Oscar nomination faded as she struggled to get her feature-length project off the ground.

Determined to make her film, Marsh and her producing partner set a hard deadline and managed to complete "Where Did the Adults Go?" in just 10 days. But the challenges didn't end there. The film was met with a barrage of rejections from top-tier festivals, a common struggle for many independent filmmakers. Undeterred, Marsh decided to bypass the traditional festival circuit and release the film directly on YouTube, making it freely available and fully accessible to viewers.

Marsh's decision was driven by her desire to ensure the film reached the communities it represents, particularly those with disabilities. The film's lead actress, Carey Cox, has a disability, and Marsh partnered with The Ehlers-Danlos Society to champion her work and promote the film's accessibility features, including captions and audio description.

By releasing "Where Did the Adults Go?" on YouTube, Marsh is challenging the industry's traditional gatekeepers and redefining success for indie filmmakers. She believes that the audience is out there, and it's time to explore new models of distribution that prioritize accessibility and inclusion over the prestige of a major festival premiere.