LOG LINE

For more than 100 years, the Hogan family has cared for Rameses, the live ram mascot that represents the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and one of the nation’s most passionate university fanbases. But as the next Hogan generation comes of age, the family faces a pivotal question: who will take the lead?

THEME & WHY NOW

At its core, More Than A Mascot is a story of family legacy, university tradition, community involvement and even rival kidnapping plots! It explores how traditions shape families and institutions—and what happens when they’re on the edge of change. In an era where values shift rapidly, this documentary raises the question: how do we honor the past while embracing the future?

SYNOPSIS

More Than A Mascot follows multiple generations of the Hogan family who have had the unique duty of caring for UNC’s live mascot—a full-blooded dorset ram that is not only an important UNC symbol, but also the family’s labor of love. Through poetic visuals, intimate conversations, and archival material, the film will feature Rameses as a beacon of pride and entertainment, while also following the family's commitment to providing him with unwavering care. We will explore how this role has impacted the family’s lives across generations. And as the current caregivers age, the family must decide how to pass the torch.