origin story
Founded in 2019, Hemlock Circle Productions is a story‑driven independent film company dedicated to bold, character‑focused movies that feel both cinematic and deeply personal. From club‑basketball drama to dark comedies and genre‑bending thrillers, Hemlock Circle champions distinctive voices, memorable performances, and the kind of films audiences discover and want to talk about long after the credits roll.
welcome to hemlock circle
Todd Friedman
Founder, Writer & Producer
Todd M. Friedman is the founder of Hemlock Circle Productions and a writer‑producer whose work often blends personal experience with grounded, high‑emotion storytelling. A University of Wisconsin–Madison alum and practicing attorney, he splits his time between running his own law firm and building Hemlock’s slate of independent films. His semi‑autobiographical club‑basketball drama Last Shot, starring his son Dylan, reflects his passion for sports, family, and stories of perseverance in the face of grief.
Warner Davis
Founder, Producer
Warner serves as a key producing partner at Hemlock Circle, helping to shape both the creative slate and the long‑term brand strategy. He’s deeply involved in positioning Hemlock as the central “umbrella” identity—guiding decisions around how individual films are promoted, how audiences find the work, and how each release contributes to a larger, cohesive body of films. Warner works closely with Todd across development, marketing, and festival planning to ensure every project supports the bigger vision for Hemlock Circle.
Our Approach
Every Hemlock Circle film starts with a clear emotional core — grief, redemption, identity, complicated family ties — and then gets built out with festival audiences, streaming viewers, and long‑tail discovery in mind. We care as much about grounded, human moments as we do about genre hooks, aiming for movies that reward both first‑time viewers and fans who come back for a second or third watch.
Indie ideals
As Hemlock Circle’s catalog grows, the focus is on making films we’re proud to stand behind, giving collaborators space to do their best work, and building a direct relationship with fans. Through trailers, behind‑the‑scenes content, festival premieres, and ongoing digital releases, we invite audiences into the process — not just to watch the finished film, but to feel part of the journey around it.
