Film Composer and Artist
Music that moves through
memory, body, and dream
About Me
I’m a singer, pianist, and composer living in San Francisco’s foggy Sunset District, where I start most mornings with a cold plunge and a melody. I make music that’s emotional, textured, and dreamlike — often built around sounds that move through the body: strings, synths, and keys that carry both weight and wonder.
I first started composing at UCLA after a broken ankle nudged me away from dance. I had trained as a dancer most of my life and started performing salsa professionally when I was 14 — rhythm and movement still shape how I write. Whether I’m scoring for film or writing songs of my own, I’m always trying to tap into the emotional undercurrent — what’s not being said, but deeply felt.
Over the years, I’ve gotten to work on a wide range of projects, from short films to documentaries and narrative features. I also release my own solo work, often blending voice, piano, and ambient textures to create something that feels both intimate and expansive.
Selected Work & Recognition
Zoe: A Surf Story — Composer; Winner, Best Documentary Short, Chicago International Film Festival
If I Were You — Composer; Winner, Best Soundtrack, Cinedanza Festival (Italy)
Mouthpiece — Composer; Narrative short featured at Palm Springs ShortFest
Re-entrification — Composer; Feature documentary on housing justice and displacement, featured on KQED
The Dolphin Club — Composer; Short film about the first women swimmers in San Francisco’s Bay at the Dolphin Club
Catch Me — Composer; Dance film featured at San Francisco International Airport Art Gallery and on Films.Dance
Road to L’Étape du Tour — Composer; Upcoming feature indie narrative film (currently in scoring)
Motherhood — Composer; Short film by Nicole Spring about the complexities of early Motherhood, on the festival circuit in 2026
Mill Valley Film Festival (2023) — Official Trailer Composer
Space Bath — Composer; 22-minute immersive piece exploring dreams and death; featured on Bandcamp, in Dolby Atmos showcases, and a contemporary dance film
Novelle — Neoclassical single featured by Spotify as one of the Best New Neoclassical Pieces of the Week
Howl — Singer-songwriter album blending voice, piano, and ambient textures
Reflections from Filmmakers
“I love working with Sami! She has a natural and accurate sensibility to the vibe and creative direction on a wide range of collaborations we’ve worked on. I especially appreciate her lean toward nuance in soundscaping — she often creates sound bed environments that feel unexpected and add beautiful layers of depth to the music.”
— Gaby Scott, Filmmaker and Director"It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Sami Freeman. Her attention to detail and discipline in her craft have made her an excellent collaborative partner in multiple projects. Her work — from composing music for our feature documentary, Re-Entrification, to writing and performing at various venues throughout the Bay Area — has had a profound and lasting impact. Sami is a true artist who truly cares about each project she works on and continues to show her brilliance in her work."
— Lyrical Opposition, Filmmakers and Artists“Working with Sami on the score for my film Motherhood was dreamlike. She elevated the story, breathing life into the visuals, and was truly a joy to work with.”
— Nicole Spring, Filmmaker of Motherhood
Composed by Sami Freeman
A short documentary by Gaby Scott about the legendary Dolphin Club members, and the beauty of cold open water swimming. Please reach out to watch the full Dolphin Club documentary.
Zoe’s journey has led her to become a NorCal pro charger and rising star in the surf scene. At just 16 years old, Zoe was bravely charging 20 foot waves at Mavericks and showing up as a fierce competitor on the USA Jr. National Surf team.
In “If I Were You,” a couple shares an oscillating dance of intention and disruption. They move through a continuous exchange of support and potential peril, pushing themselves and each other toward self-discovery. Awarded best soundtrack at Cinedanza festival in Italy. Please reach out to see the full film.
Lost in the physical memories of the past, she longs to be caught, thrown, and held by her acrobatic partner.
Mill Valley Film Festival Main Trailer
My 22 minute piece, Space Bath. Filmmaker Gaby Scott edits a dreamlike sequence inspired by the music.
Custom music for Spoken Word by San Francisco poet Laureate Tongo Eisen- Martin. Excerpt from doc Re-entrification
A story of four Northern California surfers who all share a wildness and passion for the bigger days at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
Excerpt from Re-entrification
“Coexistence” explores our complex relationship with nature, questioning whether we are in complete harmony, facing total destruction, or still striving to find balance.
Olas by Sami Freeman, performed by Sami Freeman and Phillip Peterson. Video made by Emil Tjärnström. From Emil Tjärnström in the North of Sweden. "I sat on a bus and listened to it while the winter landscape passed outside my window. I live in the north of Sweden, in the winter the sun barely touched the treetops and the low light that came and went made a poetic show."
Reentrification features insightful interviews with people who’ve lived through evictions and periods of housing insecurity.
Co-composer for song ‘Somewhere Right Now,’ to go with Penguin Random House published book ‘Somewhere Right Now’ by Kerry Docherty
Excerpt from doc Re-entrification
