Dad Genes – How a DNA Test Transformed an Anonymous Sperm Donor’s Quiet Life Into an Unbelievable Modern Family

Dad Genes directed by Craig Downing, is a documentary on the extraordinary real-life story of a former sperm donor whose carefree bachelor life takes an unexpected turn two decades later.

After registering with a DNA ancestry site, he discovers he may have dozens of children, leading to an unprecedented family reunion, a surprising romance with the mother of a donor child, worldwide media attention, and a remarkable experiment in instant family and an unconventional fatherhood.

The documentary will make its World Premiere at the Dances With Films: New York Festival.

For years, Aaron Long lived a quiet, unconventional life in Seattle. Happily unmarried, he occupied a tiny room in a cooperatively run building filled with artists and bohemians. His days were spent playing ultimate frisbee, performing experimental music, and, most importantly, caring for his aging mother. It was a life defined by simplicity, independence, and creative freedom—until a decision made decades earlier unexpectedly resurfaced.

In the mid-1990s, Aaron had been a sperm donor, viewing it largely as a practical way to earn extra cash. More than twenty years later, a casual decision to register with the DNA testing service 23andMe changed everything. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a revelation: Aaron discovered he had multiple biological children, with more continuing to emerge as new matches appeared. Suddenly, his understanding of himself—and his place in the world—expanded dramatically.

Rather than retreating from this discovery, Aaron leaned into it. He invited several of his newly discovered children to a gathering he aptly titled “Meet My Kids.” From that moment, events unfolded in ways no one could have predicted. An unusual household soon took shape, with two of the children, the mother of one child—Jess—and Aaron’s own mother all living together in the same Seattle co-op. The situation grew even more unconventional when Aaron and Jess developed a romantic relationship, forming one of the most unexpected blended families imaginable.

The story took on an even larger life after Aaron shared his experience in The New York Times Modern Love column, memorably titled “First I Met My Children, Then My Girlfriend. They’re Related.” The essay sparked worldwide fascination, leading to extensive media coverage and a sudden brush with celebrity. Aaron’s story was featured in the Modern Love book anthology and podcast, read by actor Kal Penn, and covered by outlets including Good Morning America, Good Morning Britain, BBC News, and major international publications such as People and USA Today.

Dad Genes explores not just the novelty of an unconventional family, but deeper questions about connection, responsibility, and what it truly means to be a parent in the DNA age. At once intimate and astonishing, the film offers a timely, humane portrait of family redefined for the 21st century.

Watch the trailer for Dad Genes above.