Carly Steyer is a writer/director from San Francisco working across narrative film and theater. She explores the tension between how we see ourselves and how we are seen — examining, in particular, how race, class, and performance shape social capital. Her work oscillates between intimacy and spectacle, tracing cracks in outward identity and self-mythology. Her short films include Voice Toy, currently on the festival circuit, and Spinning, which premiered at NewFilmmakers Los Angeles. She is the creator and director of Crushing, an acclaimed nonfiction monologue series that sold out runs in New York and San Francisco and was executive produced by Rosario Dawson. Carly holds a B.A. in Film from Stanford University and previously worked as the creative assistant to director Ruben Fleischer and producer David Bernad on projects including The White Lotus, Uncharted, and Jury Duty.

Two Roots — A white filmmaker joins her adopted, Black younger brother on a road trip with his biological brother —a long-haul trucker— hoping to support his search for identity and quietly boost her own career.