Beloved screen veterans Mindy Sterling and William Katt join rising newcomers Chris Heeder, Alek Kristopher, and Jamie Lien in a moving, character-driven road story about grief, growth, and showing up for the people who matter.
(PRUnderground) February 21st, 2026
The new independent dramedy When We Get There, starring acclaimed actor Alfred Molina alongside Mindy Sterling and William Katt, will debut on streaming platforms on March 3, 2026. Blending the warmth of a classic road film with an intimate, contemporary emotional core, the film also introduces fresh new talent Chris Heeder, Alek Kristopher, and Jamie Lien in breakout performances.
Directed by first-time feature filmmakers Ryan Patrick Welsh and Justin Giddings, When We Get There is a character-driven story about grief, transition, and the fragile but powerful bonds that shape who we become.
Tagline: Sometimes the end is just the beginning.
Genre: Dramedy
Runtime: 106 minutes
Country of Production: United States
Filming Locations: Michigan & Santa Clarita, California
Official Website: wwgtfilm.com
Logline:
After their mother’s death, two brothers set out on a cross-country road trip to meet the father they’ve never known, forcing them to confront grief, fractured family bonds, and the uncertain transition into adulthood.
Synopsis:
On the brink of graduating college, brothers Cal and Ty are navigating the uncertainty of adulthood when their mother dies unexpectedly. In the aftermath, they discover a letter addressed to the father they’ve never met — reopening long-buried questions neither is ready to answer.
Joined by Cal’s girlfriend, Ellie, the brothers turn loss into motion, embarking on a 2,000-mile road trip that becomes less about reaching a destination and more about navigating grief, shifting relationships, and unresolved family ties. Told with warmth, restraint, and subtle humor, When We Get There is a character-driven road-trip dramedy about the emotional space between who we were and who we’re becoming.
A Powerful Ensemble Cast:
Veteran performer Alfred Molina delivers a deeply human and nuanced performance as Marcus, joined by beloved comedic and dramatic actress Mindy Sterling as Florence and iconic screen and television actor William Katt as Bob.
The film also serves as a launchpad for a new generation of talent, introducing Chris Heeder (Cal), Alek Kristopher (Ty), and Jamie Lien (Ellie), whose naturalistic performances anchor the story’s emotional authenticity. Director Ryan Patrick Welsh also appears onscreen as Griff.
Alfred Molina is widely respected for his roles in Spider-Man 2, Frida, and his celebrated work on Broadway. Mindy Sterling is best known for her unforgettable performances in the Austin Powers films, while William Katt remains an enduring presence recognized for Carrie, House, and the television classic The Greatest American Hero.
From First-Time Feature Filmmakers:
When We Get There marks the feature debut of co-directors Ryan Patrick Welsh and Justin Giddings, longtime collaborators who previously gained recognition for their short films on the festival circuit. Welsh, an Associate Professor of Theatre at Michigan State University, cast several of his graduating students in the film, lending the performances a genuine sense of immediacy and emotional truth during a pivotal stage in their lives.
Shot primarily in Michigan with two additional days in Santa Clarita, California, the production seamlessly blends its locations into a unified cross-country journey. Made on a budget under $200,000 and filmed over 12 days across two and a half years, the project reflects a scrappy, determined independent spirit and a naturalistic, mumblecore-inspired storytelling style. The film also marks a first feature for its Director of Photography Tanner Evans also an alumni of MSU.
Director Statement:
“With this film, we wanted to tell a story about people showing up for each other. Every relationship is filled with these moments, big or small, in which we choose whether or not we’re really going to be there for another person; a thousand small ways, like putting a phone down during a meal so you can talk eye to eye, or the big moments, the crises, the triumphs. We choose. And in our experience, all of the most fulfilling relationships come from two people just showing up for each other, the best way they know how.
This film is about people in transition, from one stage of life into the next, and the questions and challenges that we face along the way. It was made with love and heart and the desire to tell a story against all odds. Perhaps because it was born on the tail end of the pandemic, this story is deliberately life-affirming. We believe that in a world that continues to offer us reasons to close off to each other, to be afraid of what comes next, it helps to share a story now and then that can remind us of why we’re really here; which is, maybe, to bear witness together to the joys and hardships we inevitably face. At the most basic level, the hope is that watching this film makes the world feel just a little bit brighter, and that maybe you can be reminded that you’re not alone.
We’re proud of this film. We’re proud of these collaborators — the three young leads and Alfred Molina, Mindy Sterling, and William Katt — the whole incredible crew and the amazing producers at Whiskey Panda Studios. We look forward to sharing this story with an audience.”
— Ryan Patrick Welsh & Justin Giddings, Directors
Producers:
Brady Hallongren, Josh Tessier, Ryan Patrick Welsh, Justin Giddings, Justin L. Anderson, Roberto Ahumada, Omid Zader, Brent Foshee
Production Companies:
Whiskey Panda Studios
Giddy Welshmen Productions
Turbo Panda Productions
Release:
When We Get There will be available for streaming beginning March 3, 2026.
About Whiskey Panda Studios
We’re an independent film production commpany based in Burbank, CA. Along with our own originally produced films we also are a service production company that can handle everything from development to pre-production to production. We also have a partner company Rocket Panda Post that handles post production.
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Original Press Release.
