“Make something. Follow your gut. And remember, everything, success or failure, is a learning experience.”
Sam Sokolow is a two-time Emmy-nominated film and television producer who recently relocated to Greenville, South Carolina after 23 years in Los Angeles and a childhood in New York City. Now focused on building a slate of independent films from the South, Sokolow is also helping develop the Clemson Film School and working on global workforce training for emerging film markets. His mission is to empower storytellers and creatives through mentorship, opportunity, and industry experience.
About
After decades of producing major television and film projects in New York and Los Angeles, Sam Sokolow now calls Greenville, South Carolina home. With roots in big cities but a heart that is grounded in authentic storytelling, Sokolow brings a wealth of experience to the South’s emerging film industry. He’s not only producing independent films from Greenville but also working to build a foundation for the next generation through the Clemson Film School and a global workforce development initiative for training production crews.
“I feel like I’m in the middle of a Hallmark movie most days,” Sokolow says, describing Greenville’s charm and creative energy. For him, the big move was inspired by love, his wife is from nearby Gaffney, and it has led to a sense of purpose. “When you move for the right reasons, miracles happen around you.”
With a career spanning from indie features to large-scale studio productions, Sokolow understands the full life cycle of a project. But he defines his role as: “I put creative people in a position to do their best work.” Whether this is through cultivating local talent or producing globally relevant stories, he’s driven by a passion for storytelling and a determination for persistence. “My biggest fear was not getting to do this work,” he shares. “That fear kept me going.”
Sokolow is now committed to helping others take that same leap. “Don’t wait to be chosen,” he advises. “Make something. Follow your gut. And remember, everything, success or failure, is a learning experience.”
