Our StoryPurgatory is a Los Angeles–based independent film production company developing original and commissioned work across documentary, narrative, and commercial filmmaking.
It was founded by two best friends of nearly twenty years who came to filmmaking through different creative and professional paths—one through documentary and journalism, one through writing and brand work. After years of assuming they'd eventually find a way to work together, the timing was right and they created Purgatory.
Our work is shaped by a long collaboration: different instincts, a shared language, deep trust, and strengths that have turned out to be unexpectedly complementary—a way of working that's developed organically over time.
Today, Purgatory is where we develop and produce projects that hold our attention, whether that's a documentary, a television pilot, or a brand film.
about usBROOKS HARRIS
Brooks is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and founding partner of Purgatory. Her latest project, Breath of Fire, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in partnership with Vanity Fair and HBO.
She began her career in New York City as a broadcast associate at CBS News, a true producer bootcamp where she worked the graveyard shift for the morning show, before moving into producer roles at 60 Minutes and Charlie Rose. Since relocating to Los Angeles, she has produced documentaries for HBO, Amazon, Hulu, and Disney+.
Brooks gravitates toward stories of outsiders who challenge power or speak out about systemic issues. She is fascinated by the gray space where personal choice collides with professional or political consequence. Off-camera, she is at work on her debut novel and developing new unscripted projects. She loves shepherding a project from the first spark to the final cut, preferably with collaborators who keep things smart, fun, and a little unpredictable.
VANESSA de HORSEY
Vanessa is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and founding partner of Purgatory. With a background in writing, marketing, art direction, and creative strategy, she brings ideas to life in ways that are both imaginative and purposeful.
She got her start in New York, where she worked for MAKE UP FOR EVER, developing projects ranging from NYFW partnerships to editorial videos, and was once featured in an artist collaboration for Opening Ceremony. Now based in Los Angeles, she has edited and written for the quarterly arts publication Forecast Journal, worked as a marketing strategist for a tech startup, and edited a book on the space industry. Her recent personal practice has centered on writing and building a dollhouse.
Vanessa is drawn to projects that probe the human condition—examining societal dynamics, personal perspectives, and the emotional landscapes that shape experience. Guided by an intuitive narrative sense and inventive approach, she seeks to give form to the intangible, creating work that feels both intimate and impactful across film, writing, and visual art.
Brooks & Vanessa first met on Purgatory Road.
