Films aren’t just seen. they’re felt.
Better Half Pictures is a Texas-based independent film company led by writer-director Sarah Joy Byington and editor-producer Samuel Butler, partners in both life and storytelling. With a shared passion for bold, character-driven narratives, they create emotionally resonant films that explore themes of resilience, identity, and justice, often blending grounded drama with sharp, ironic humor. Their debut short Labor + Justice premiered at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival in 2023 and has received multiple awards on the festival circuit.
Together, Sarah and Sam bring a uniquely collaborative process to every project — merging strong direction, authentic performances, and finely crafted post-production to tell unforgettable, meaningful stories. Better Half Pictures currently has multiple feature films in development.
Sarah Joy Byington
Sarah Joy Byington is an award-winning writer-director and accomplished actor based in Austin, Texas, and co-founder of Better Half Pictures with her husband and creative partner, Samuel Butler. Her experience as a working actor deeply informs her writing and directing, bringing authenticity and nuance to dialogue and performance. Her feature screenplay Let Me Do Right By You was a quarterfinalist in both the 2019 BlueCat Screenplay Competition and the 2019 Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition. She currently has multiple feature film projects in development.
Samuel butler
Samuel Butler is a film editor and producer based in Austin, Texas, and co-founder of Better Half Pictures. With over 14 years of experience in post-production, he has edited and produced a wide range of independent films including editing narrative features such as American Dollhouse, After All, Age Out, and New Life. He brings deep technical and creative expertise to every project, reflecting a passion for compelling storytelling.