The documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, directed by Ryan White, chronicles the final years of poet Andrea Gibson following their ovarian cancer diagnosis. The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it earned the Festival Favorite Award. Following its critical success, a multimedia event titled Andrea Gibson: Love Letter from the Afterlife is scheduled for July 5 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, featuring the Colorado Symphony and Sara Bareilles.
The Journey to Sundance
The film’s production was defined by a race against time. According to director Ryan White, he and producer Jess Hargrave did not disclose the film’s submission to the Sundance Film Festival to subjects Andrea Gibson and their spouse, Megan Falley, until the project was officially accepted. This decision was driven by the uncertainty regarding Gibson’s health, as they were managing late-stage cancer during the final stages of editing.
White noted that the premiere at the Library Theater in Park City was a defining moment in his career. The audience’s reaction to the film—which balances themes of mortality with humor and poetry—surprised the production team. For White, the experience of seeing Gibson receive a standing ovation at the screening was transformative, as it allowed the poet to witness the impact of their life’s work firsthand.
Expanding the Performance at Red Rocks
The July 5 event at Red Rocks serves as an extension of the documentary, specifically highlighting a live performance Gibson gave at Denver’s Paramount Theatre. While White initially struggled to incorporate this footage into the documentary’s narrative, he and editor Bernice Iunni worked to preserve the integrity of the performance.
Producer Tig Notaro, who brought her experience with comedy specials to the project, encouraged the team to film the Paramount Theatre engagement as a standalone concert. The upcoming Red Rocks presentation will feature:
- Live musical accompaniment: A performance by the Colorado Symphony.
- Special guests: Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, who contributed the song "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet" to the project.
- Multimedia integration: A presentation of the archival performance footage.
Artistic Impact and Future Directions
The title Love Letter from the Afterlife refers to a specific poem written by Gibson for Falley, composed from the perspective of the beyond. For White, the process of documenting Gibson’s life shifted his own perspective on filmmaking and personal priorities.
White stated that the collaboration with Gibson and Falley taught him to embrace vulnerability, a departure from his usual approach as an observer. He indicated that the intensity of the project has led him and producer Jess Hargrave to re-evaluate their professional trajectory. Moving forward, White intends to be more selective with his projects, prioritizing stories that offer "a shot of adrenaline to the soul."
Key Takeaways
- Documentary Recognition: Come See Me in the Good Light received the Festival Favorite Award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
- The Red Rocks Event: The July 5 screening is designed as a tribute to Gibson, combining film, poetry, and orchestral music.
- Production Challenges: The film was produced under significant time constraints due to Gibson’s health, with the team often unsure if the project would reach completion.
- Creative Shift: Ryan White has cited this project as a turning point in his career, prompting a shift toward more intentional, human-centered storytelling.