Donor Unknown

A film about identity, genetic inheritance and the family of the future.

Donor Unknown follows the story of JoEllen Marsh, 20, as she goes in search of the sperm donor father she only knows as Donor 150. JoEllen has always known her family wasn't ‘like other families'. She grew up in Pennsylvania with two mothers, and a burning curiosity to know more about her anonymous donor father. When JoEllen discovers a unique online registry that connects donor-conceived children, she manages to track down a half-sister in New York. The New York Times picks up the story, and, over time, 12 more half-siblings emerge across the USA. The New York Times article also falls into the hands of Jeffrey Harrison, living alone with four dogs and a pigeon in a broken-down RV in a Venice Beach car park. In the 1980s, Jeffrey supplemented his meagre income by becoming a sperm donor at California Cryobank. His number was Donor 150.

Donor Unknown follows JoEllen from her discovery of her siblings, to the moment Jeffrey steps forward to identify himself as Donor 150 and her decision to travel to California to meet him.Donor Unknown is a film about a new kind of family. Linked by their connection to a single sperm donor - 150 - parents and children are creating and navigating a new set of relationships. They are discovering first hand what a close biological connection to a stranger means for themselves and their identity. What happens next opens up some fascinating questions about nature and nurture, the responsibilities of parenthood, the moral integrity of the cryobanks, and the hazards of genetic inheritance.

Director: Jerry Rothwell

Producers: Hilary Durman, Al Morrow

A Met Film/Redbird co-production

Awards: Silverdocs, Tribeca, Shortlisted for two RTS Awards, Nominated for Grierson Award

'I was drawn to this story because it seemed to me that through an extraordinary set of coincidences, Jeffrey and his children were dealing with age-old human dilemmas - "where do I come from?, what is my connection with the past?, where are the boundaries of my family?" in a uniquely modern context. Their openness and courage take us deeper than the obvious laughs to be had in a film about sperm donation.' - Jerry Rothwell, Director

For more details about the film visit www.donorunknown.com