Story by Tamsen Butler.
Kyan Doubet intentionally decided to foster creativity in her daughter at an early age, and it shows. “She just breathes creativity,” said Kyan of her daughter Sage. “It’s part of her being.”
At 16 years old, homeschooled Sage Doubet is already making waves within the local film community. Her production company’s film Opening Night was an official selection at the 2026 Omaha Film Festival, and their film Raiven was an official selection at the 2026 Omaha Film Festival, the Benson Film Festival, and the Rising Stars Colorado Film Festival.
Sage’s production company, Saga Rising Productions, was created with her best friend Gracie Arbaugh while they were filming Raiven. It was around the halfway point in filming that they realized they wanted to make many more films together, so creating the production company seemed like a logical next step.
The two friends, who have been friends since the age of 4, both discovered their love of filmmaking separately from one another. When Gracie reached out asking if Sage knew of any film classes—aware of her childhood dream of becoming an actress—the connection clicked. “I was like, ‘you’re into film?’” Sage said. It was really magical how we found filmmaking separately and our paths intertwined.”
Sage not only has the advantage of having a creative best friend with whom she can pursue filmmaking, but also a long roster of supporters and mentors who encourage her to explore her creativity. Among those named are her parents, Kimberly Faith Hickman, Nik and Kat Fackler, Rachel Benson, and Kate Robertson Pryor—all powerhouses within the Omaha arts scene.
Her film crew is mostly comprised of friends she met in theater productions. “We all help each other out. It’s awesome,” she said. Her siblings sometimes get involved in her films as well, helping behind the scenes or in front of the camera.
She’s heavily influenced by filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. “They do beautiful, emotional, powerful work,” Sage said. She also cites The Lord of the Rings as a major inspiration, calling it one of her favorite books and film series of all time. Yet, her true muse is the world around her. “The natural world is important to me and a big inspiration,” she said, adding that she also creates eco-friendly, biodegradable artwork and jewelry inspired by the natural world.
Sage’s advice to other young filmmakers is to seek out mentors who will be supportive. “I’m really glad I have all these people around me who encourage me and make me feel like I can achieve my dreams,” she said. She also urges young creatives to “just do it,” and not allow self-doubt to halt creative pursuits.
“During the making of Raiven, I kept watching it and thinking it was amazing, and then watching it and thinking it was terrible,” she revealed. “You’ll never learn and grow until you try.”
In the near future, Sage hopes to launch a YouTube channel for Saga Rising Productions. She’s also currently co-writing a feature film. Long-term, her hope is to write a book that she can then adapt into a movie.
“I’m going to make movies for as long as I can and as long as I want to,” she said.
