Exclusive interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In an industry that often rewards conventional paths, the mother-daughter creative duo of Natalie Baszile and Hyacinth Parker is proving that complementary instincts, shared passion, and sheer determination can produce something extraordinary. Their documentary HARVEST makes its world premiere in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival (with additional screenings on June 7th & 9th), offering an emotionally raw yet joyful portrait of the Nelson Brothers—four ambitious, fourth-generation Black farmers in Sondheimer, Louisiana—as they chase big dreams of building a lasting family legacy amid personal challenges, economic pressures, and the realities of rural life today. Drawing inspiration from the themes of land, legacy, and African American farming families explored in Natalie’s book We Are Each Other’s Harvest, the film transcends agriculture to speak to anyone who has ever fought for a vision. Natalie brings her novelist’s eye—honed as the author of the acclaimed novel Queen Sugar, which was famously adapted into a television series by Ava DuVernay, produced by Oprah Winfrey, and earned 8 NAACP Image Award nominations—while Hyacinth contributes her sharp instincts from marketing and independent producing. Together, they spent nearly two years embedded with the charismatic Nelson family, crafting a story about ambition, obsession, passion, resilience, and the beautiful, unbreakable bonds that make it all possible.
When the lights go down at Tribeca, few films arrive with the warmth, honesty, and quiet power of HARVEST. Co-directed by acclaimed author Natalie Baszile and her daughter Hyacinth Parker, the documentary follows the Nelson Brothers—four young, ambitious, fourth-generation Black farmers in the tiny Louisiana town of Sondheimer—as they work the land, navigate family dynamics, face the very real impacts of climate and economics, and refuse to let go of their vision for a bigger, more sustainable future.
The filmmakers didn’t set out to make a “farming movie.” They set out to tell a story about what it means to have a dream and pursue it with everything you have.
“We really tried to make a film that was about ambition, obsession and passion,” Natalie shares. “Even if you’re not a farmer, even if you don’t have any connection to the land, you still have the ability to connect with this film because you know what it means to have a dream and to pursue that. We really wanted this to be a film that was inspirational, joyful… We want people to have fun while they watch and feel the hope, and drive and inspiration that the brothers have throughout their day-to-day lives… that feeling of possibility.”
That feeling of possibility pulses through every frame. The Nelson family’s commitment to each other and to their endeavor is the fuel that guides every decision. As Hyacinth notes, from the first time they met the family, what stood out was “their commitment to this endeavor and to each other… They want to succeed. They are ambitious, but they also bring a lot of heart to what they do… good, solid people and they’re charismatic.” The brothers welcomed the small but mighty crew into their homes and lives for almost two years, and the resulting intimacy and trust on screen is palpable.
What makes HARVEST even more special is the story behind the camera. Natalie and Hyacinth are untraditional filmmakers—neither attended film school. Natalie came from the world of novels; Hyacinth from marketing and independent film producing. Their shared passion for rich, unusual stories brought them together in a partnership that, by their own admission, “we’re not even supposed to be working together as a mother and daughter team.” Yet their complementary instincts have proven to be their greatest strength.
“I would say I really have seen the importance of having an amazing team and having people who get it,” Hyacinth reflects. “Once you find the people who really do and are willing to help you execute on that, that is more impactful and powerful than anything else… It really does show how much this is a team effort and how much collaboration really is key to a process.”
Natalie adds that the journey has been one of moving “from breadcrumb to breadcrumb… All you need is one ‘yes’ here to keep you going, and then you find the next person who’s willing to say yes.” They locked in on the story and refused to let go, drawing inspiration from “North Star” films like Free Solo and The First Monday in May—stories of people doing what they absolutely love, so fully that the audience can’t look away even if they have no personal connection to the world on screen.
The Nelson family themselves attended the Tribeca screenings, turning the premiere into a true celebration of the people whose lives and labor inspired the film.
HARVEST is more than a documentary about farming. It is a testament to what becomes possible when talented storytellers refuse to follow someone else’s rules, when families choose each other every day, and when artists commit to telling stories with conscience, heart, and joy. In a world that often feels heavy, this film leaves you lighter—reminded that the pursuit of a dream, done together, is its own kind of harvest.
See it: HARVEST world premiered in competition at Tribeca Film Festival 2026. Check local listings and the Tribeca site for encore screenings and future release information. Pair it with Natalie Baszile’s book We Are Each Other’s Harvest for an even deeper exploration of land, legacy, and the people who work it.
AMFM Magazine celebrates artists who create with conscience and courage. Natalie Baszile and Hyacinth Parker embody that spirit—breaking rules, building teams, and reminding us all of the power of possibility.
