FINDING YOUR LAUGHTER
Alzheimer’s Gets a Dose of Comedy!
Comedian Arlieta Hall turns to improv as a tool to caregive for her father Milton, who is losing himself to Alzheimer’s.
More than 53 million Americans are caregivers. They cook the meals, manage the medications, hold the memories, and show up day after day for the people they love. For the millions caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, that work can feel relentless, invisible, and isolating.
Finding Your Laughter asks a different question: what if laughter isn’t a distraction from caregiving but a lifeline through it?
Join Us for the World Premiere
Buy your tickets now for the film premiere at the BlackStar Film Festival on August 8, 2026.
Buy Tickets
FINDING YOUR LAUGHTER
Alzheimer’s Gets a Dose of Comedy!
Comedian Arlieta Hall turns to improv as a tool to caregive for her father Milton, who is losing himself to Alzheimer’s.
More than 53 million Americans are caregivers. They cook the meals, manage the medications, hold the memories, and show up day after day for the people they love. For the millions caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, that work can feel relentless, invisible, and isolating.
Finding Your Laughter asks a different question: what if laughter isn’t a distraction from caregiving but a lifeline through it?
Join Us for the World Premiere
Buy your tickets now for the film premiere at the BlackStar Film Festival on August 8, 2026.
Buy TicketsWatch the Trailer
About the Film
In this joy-filled personal documentary, Arlieta has gone against all popular advice and quit her day job to care for her father, Milton. She has to learn how to laugh in the midst of a disease that is not very funny, using improv to affirm and validate his experiences. Inspired by her father’s own artistic career, Arlieta turns to comedy to process her emotions. It’s challenging for her and her “bonus mom” Charmaine to watch Milton decline, but they support each other and find healing through laughter. While Milton declines, Arlieta’s artistic career advances. She tries to keep Milton happy and comfortable even as care gets more challenging and she has to give up independence to move back in with Milton and Charmaine.
Watch the Trailer
Praise for Finding Your Laughter
This team out of the Chi have found a way to laugh in a healthy, cathartic way from facing the all too real battle of dementia on the home front.”
This film is poised for impact!”
“Such an incredible approach and interaction, maintaining [your dad’s] dignity as an adult whilst keeping his and your frustration at bay”
I laughed and I cried and I really cared.”
Totally, thoroughly enjoyed this presentation given in an absolutely fresh, attention grabbing perspective. Heartwarming with exemplary take aways to put into one’s career and life! “
Latest News
World Premier, August 8!
Finding Your Laughter will have its world premiere on August 8th at the BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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We Won PitchBLACK!
We WON PitchBLACK! Black Public Media awarded us $150K towards post-production. We’re so grateful to have this support and to have made a ton of amazing connections at the pitch forum.
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Arlieta wins Maude’s Award 2024
Arlieta was recognized for her work in the dementia/Alzheimer’s care community.
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Take Care! Improv for Caregivers Workshop
In July, Arlieta presented her workshop at the brand new Sisters in Cinema space in South Shore, Chicago.
Upcoming Events
Keynote and Improv for Caregivers Workshop
Arlieta Hall will be a keynote speaker at the 2026 Midwest Dementia Summit! Break Free of Traditional Dementia Care Join
World Premiere
In this deeply personal documentary, Arlieta has gone against all popular advice and quit her day job to care for her father, Milton. She has to learn how to laugh in the midst of a disease that is not very funny, using improv to affirm and validate his experiences. Inspired by her father’s own artistic career, Arlieta turns to comedy to process her emotions. It’s challenging for her and her “bonus mom” Charmaine to watch Milton decline, but they support each other and find healing through laughter. Thank you to our screening partner: Mezcla Media Collective.
PODCAST
Living in the Caregiving Moment.
Did you catch Arlieta on Twenty-Four Seven: A Podcast about Caregiving? Her episode is called “A Comedian Walks into a Dementia Unit” and it’s a really lovely interview in which she talks candidly about the highs and lows of caring for her father.
Interviews
Filmmaker interview with N’Digo Studio
Catch Co-Directors Arlieta and Brittany talking with Hermene Hartman about Finding Your Laughter and the importance of funding for PSB and our co-producers Black Public Media (Nov 2025).
Dementia RAW podcast with Tami Neumann and Cathy Braxton
Dementia RAW podcast with Tami Neumann and Cathy Braxton – Arlieta talks to the teachers who taught her to use improv for caregiving. They reflect on flexibility and the challenges of staying in the moment.
Memoryz- Caregiver Spotlight Interview
Arlieta is Spotlighted for being a caregiving hero and discusses how 2020 forced her to become a full-time live in caregiver.
Supported by
Fiscal Sponsor & Funder
Funders
Pitch Events/Labs
Special Thanks
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Support This Project!
We are so excited about the positive impact of making this project, but we can’t do it alone. If this project speaks to you — if you’ve been affected by Alzheimer’s, if you know the joys and challenges of caregiving — please reach get involved and help support our work. We are looking to build with like-minded partners to creatively and strategically expand the reach of our film.