Empowering independent artists to fulfill their unique creative vision, while contributing to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable documentary ecosystem. Paola’s career in the documentary field has been driven by her passion for the creative process coupled with a commitment to positive change. For over a decade, Paola has worked across key areas of the […]
To make our visions for social change a reality by supporting and amplifying untold stories through documentary films. Kiyoko McCrae is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and Program Director at Chicken & Egg Pictures where she strategizes to build gender and racial equity through its programs and partnerships. Previously, she was Director of Documentary Programming and […]
Championing emerging and established voices, equipping filmmakers with the tools, network, and confidence to resource themselves, often beyond conventional avenues of support. Elise is Head of Film at Kickstarter, mentoring and championing filmmakers worldwide, on fundraising and audience-building strategies. She nurtures emerging talents, with a keen focus on creators from historically underrepresented groups. Since 2020, […]
Cultivating then empowering the next generation of storytellers to interrogate traditional perspectives to create fresh authentic nuanced tales. Anjanette Levert is a documentary filmmaker, producer, curator, coach, and professor at Spelman College. The Producer of The Only Doctor by Matthew Hashiguchi, she is an alumna of the Sundance Producers Intensive, Southern Producers Lab, and New […]
Supporting filmmakers and centering the unique ability of documentaries to demonstrate complexity, illuminate the intersections between people and issues, and catalyze action for a just and equitable future. Gerry Leonard is Brooklyn-based impact strategist and organizer from Jakarta, Indonesia. He is the Director of Filmmaker Services and Impact at Working Films. Gerry weaves his grassroots […]
Kelsey has worked in independent documentary for over a decade and is currently the VP of Production at Impact Partners, a fund that supports powerful documentary films addressing pressing social issues. Since joining IP, she has been involved with the development of 100+ projects and has spoken on panels about funding, distribution, and impact at […]
Raised on Guam, Lailanie Gadia is a Filipina American community builder, producer, and financial professional based in Los Angeles. Serving as the Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc)’s Operations Director, Lailanie finds purpose in supporting and empowering underrepresented voices. She is an Associate Producer on Tadashi Nakamura’s Third Act, a 2022 LEAP Impact alum and graduated […]
Jamie is the COO of Represent Justice, a nonprofit that builds narrative power for formerly incarcerated filmmakers, film participants, and activists. As a founding steering committee member of GIPA she is co-leading an effort to preserve impact-related exhibition rights in distribution deals. As a director/producer her work has screened at MoMA, Full Frame, and AFI […]
Championing filmmakers, funders and other documentary stakeholders who are aligned with equitable, accountable filmmaking practices that mitigate harm for film participants, and increase opportunities for transformative storytelling. Natalie Bullock Brown is the proud director of the Documentary Accountability Working Group. She is a 2023 Harvard Shorenstein Center Documentary Film Fellow, and a 2021 Rockwood JustFilms […]
Showcasing the work of daring storytellers who are invested in the cultural evolution of the documentary form. Jaad Asante is the Manager of Documentaries at Onyx Collective, championing stories from artists of color that celebrate the joy, resilience, and diversity of our shared human experience. Jaad’s passionate advocacy for shepherding innovative films into the world […]