Comedian's Transgender Road Trip Documentary Earns Emmy Nominations

In August 2025, the Netflix documentary "Will & Harper" has captured the hearts of millions of viewers and earned recognition from the TV Academy, receiving 5 Emmy nominations. The film follows the story of comedian Will Ferrell and his long-time friend and collaborator Harper Steele, after Steele came out as a transwoman.

Director Josh Greenbaum and cinematographer Zoë White have been praised for their unique visual approach, which aimed to immerse the audience in Ferrell and Steele's relationship. Greenbaum explains that he wanted to convey the "grace, warmth, and softness" of their bond, using older Cooke anamorphic lenses to create a nostalgic, poetic look.

Much of the film takes place in the car during Ferrell and Steele's 16-day road trip, and the filmmakers carefully considered how to capture these intimate moments while also transitioning smoothly to scenes outside the vehicle. The use of a Steadicam operator with a background in scripted television helped achieve this graceful, narrative-driven style.

Greenbaum also emphasizes his desire to showcase Steele's personal perspective on America, highlighting the beauty she finds in the mundane and overlooked. This unique point of view is woven throughout the documentary, making it a compelling and visually striking exploration of friendship, identity, and the American landscape.