Held Under
Los Angeles, CA
DIRECTOR: Benjamin Morgan
2026/USA
(NAR) HELD UNDER is a dramatic series about a troubled surf prodigy, a rags to riches story about the pursuit of the American Dream in the face of generational dysfunction. This short episode introduces the nuanced relationship between Leila and her estranged mother who is struggling with addiction.
RUNNING TIME: 9:21
ARTIST’S BIO: Benjamin Morgan is a writer, director, and producer based in Los Angeles. Morgan was an at-risk youth. A chaotic home life riddled with drugs and abuse drove him to the streets where a relentless passion for break dancing diverted his attention from more nefarious activities. His crew Fantastic Fource held down the Bay Area, winning every major competition during his heyday. He discovered surfing shortly thereafter and credits the ocean with saving his life. He is an avid surfer and snowboarder to this day. His breaking chops however may be a little rusty. Morgan’s debut feature QUALITY OF LIFE was inspired by his involvement with the graffiti subculture growing up on the streets of San Francisco. The film premiered at the BERLINALE where it won a Jury Award and was later released theatrically by Universal Pictures, eventually landing on Netflix and Showtime.
2026/USA
(NAR) HELD UNDER is a dramatic series about a troubled surf prodigy, a rags to riches story about the pursuit of the American Dream in the face of generational dysfunction. This short episode introduces the nuanced relationship between Leila and her estranged mother who is struggling with addiction.
RUNNING TIME: 9:21
ARTIST’S BIO: Benjamin Morgan is a writer, director, and producer based in Los Angeles. Morgan was an at-risk youth. A chaotic home life riddled with drugs and abuse drove him to the streets where a relentless passion for break dancing diverted his attention from more nefarious activities. His crew Fantastic Fource held down the Bay Area, winning every major competition during his heyday. He discovered surfing shortly thereafter and credits the ocean with saving his life. He is an avid surfer and snowboarder to this day. His breaking chops however may be a little rusty. Morgan’s debut feature QUALITY OF LIFE was inspired by his involvement with the graffiti subculture growing up on the streets of San Francisco. The film premiered at the BERLINALE where it won a Jury Award and was later released theatrically by Universal Pictures, eventually landing on Netflix and Showtime.
