stream on YouTube December 11, 2026
RUIN MY LIFE
releasing December 11th, 2026
ABOUT THE FILM
Starring Sam Pelissero and Tyler Dema. RUIN MY LIFE is a queer romantic drama about timing, emotional growth, and the relationships that shape us. When Sam unexpectedly reconnects with Ty years after their friendship collapsed, buried feelings resurface, forcing both men to revisit the moments that brought them together, and the choices that drove them apart. Told across multiple timelines, the pair must decide whether they're destined to repeat the past or finally choose each other.
THE HISTORY OF THE FILM
RUIN MY LIFE, the 2026 feature film, is the expanded story of Sam Pelissero’s 2024 hit short film of the same name. In early 2025, the team began developing what was originally intended to be a direct, 45-minute sequel titled IN ANOTHER LIFE. After crowdfunding more than $20,000 and filming over nine days in the fall of 2025, the team realized they had something much bigger on their hands. Months into post-production, they recognized that something was missing: the ability to experience the full story of these characters in one sitting.
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Rather than treating IN ANOTHER LIFE as a standalone sequel, they made the decision to reimagine the project as a complete feature-length story. The original short was woven into the new film, creating a seamless narrative that brings the characters’ entire journey together. The team then returned to production to film additional scenes and fill in the gaps, ensuring the story felt complete from beginning to end.
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With the original short now serving as the foundation of the feature, renaming the film RUIN MY LIFE felt like the natural choice. What began as a sequel ultimately became the full story audiences never got to see the first time around.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Hi, Sam here. When I created the short film in 2024, I never would have expected the impact the film would have on the audience, nor how controversial the ending would be. The inspiration and motivation to make the short (self-funded, for the record) came from the desire to tell a story of a life experience I too often encounter; feeling second place, always someone's back-up plan. The irony of it all is, the ongoing positive feedback & love of the film has made me feel, finally, like a winner.
I had no intentions on expanding on the story but when my best friend, co-star, and now co-writer Tyler Dema felt inspired to continue what I created, it was hard to not indulge him. Writing the feature together has been one of the most joyful experiences of my life and I am so proud of the story we created. In a time when queer stories are being erased, it has never been more important to shine a spotlight on the ones we can.Â
THE TEAM BEHIND THE FILM
Sam Pelissero is a dynamic American director, actor, and storyteller known for his versatile work across short films, web series, music videos, digital media, and podcasts. Born in Hawaii and raised in an Army household, he is now making his mark as a filmmaker in New York City. Through projects like RUIN MY LIFE, Dylan and Sam, and his expanding portfolio under KoPel Productions, Sam crafts emotionally resonant stories that blend music, character, and the pulse of modern life. As a filmmaker, Sam is passionate about creating authentic, emotionally driven stories about queer experiences.
TYLER DEMA
Director/Co-Writer/Co-Star
Tyler Dema is a multi-hyphenate, born and raised New Yorker whose career spans from entertainment, to wellness, and beyond. He holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University, a Health Coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and a Yoga certification from All Yoga, Bali. He believes the most powerful force in this life is the ability to connect with, and be of service to, other human beings. He aims to explore and offer a deeper understanding of the human experience through his art and story-telling, as well as his work in mindfulness and holistic well-being.
KRISÂ KHUNACHAK
Director of Photography
Kris Khunachak is a  NJ/NY-based Director of Photography specializing in music and music-adjacent creative video projects. He has a passion for any kind of work that helps him elevate the voices of others using his acumen for the visual arts, honed by over a decade of mixed media practice and education.
THE TEAM BEHIND THE FILM
SAM PELISSERO
Sam Pelissero is a dynamic American director, actor, and storyteller known for his versatile work across short films, web series, music videos, digital media, and podcasts. Born in Hawaii and raised in an Army household, he is now making his mark as a filmmaker in New York City. Through projects like RUIN MY LIFE, Dylan and Sam, and his expanding portfolio under KoPel Productions, Sam crafts emotionally resonant stories that blend music, character, and the pulse of modern life. As a filmmaker, Sam is passionate about creating authentic, emotionally driven stories about queer experiences.
Director/Co-Writer/Producer/Co-Star
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We need to raise $10k to cover the
cost of post-production.
BEHIND THE SCENESÂ
Photos our amazing production photographer Brooke Banister captured.
