The Oldest Person in the World
2026 • 87’ • United States, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, France, Spain, England
THE OLDEST PERSON IN THE WORLD is a decade-long chronicle of each individual who holds the title of oldest living person. As the title inevitably passes from one super old person to the next, acclaimed filmmaker Sam Green traverses the globe to meet each new record holder, his personal fascination with what the title means becoming entangled with events and milestones in his own life. What begins as a portrait of longevity becomes a poignant meditation on the passage of time, the randomness of fate and the joy and profound human experience of being alive.
Director:
Sam Green
Producers:
Alison Byrne Fields, Josh Penn
Festivals:
Sundance 2026
True/False 2026
CPH:DOX 2026
SXSW 2026
Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival 2026
Full Frame Festival 2026
Milwaukee Film Festival 2026
Ashland Independent Film Festival 2026
Hot Docs 2026
San Francisco International Film Festival 2026
Sundance Mexico 2026
Doxa Film Fest 2026
Margaret Mead Film Festival 2026
Millenium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival 2026
Beat Film Festival 2026
DC/DOX Film Festival 2026
Nantucket Film Festival 2026
Maine International Film Festival 2026
Filmmaker’s Biography:
Sam Green is a New York-based documentary filmmaker. THE OLDEST PERSON IN THE WORLD marks his seventh feature documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. His most recent film, 32 SOUNDS (Oscar Shortlist), played opening night of both the 2022 Sundance and SXSW festivals. Along with 32 SOUNDS (with JD Samson), Sam’s other recent “live documentaries” include A THOUSAND THOUGHTS (with the Kronos Quartet, 2018), THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS (2014), THE LOVE SONG OF R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER (with Yo La Tengo, 2012), and UTOPIA IN FOUR MOVEMENTS (2010). With all of these works, he narrates the film in-person while musicians perform a live soundtrack. Sam’s 2004 feature-length film, THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was nominated for an Academy Award and was included in the Whitney Biennial. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.