Archives

Empowering storytellers to find their voices by using documentary as a tool to reach new audiences. Marjon Javadi is the Director of Original Documentaries and Docuseries at Disney+. She is responsible for identifying new nonfiction opportunities and works with key stakeholders across the company to ensure their success through development, production and launch. Current projects […]

Building an equitable framework for POV programming and developing new pipelines for diverse filmmakers.   Nicole is the Co-Producer at POV, the longest-running documentary series on PBS. As a member of the Programming and Production team, she takes part in the curation and production of the series, manages film submissions and the pre-screening process, and […]

Advocating for increased funding and accessibility for under-resourced and marginalized filmmaking communities.    As the Head of Alliances and Cultural Engagement, Merrill Sterritt has expanded Cinereach’s impact by developing methods of support for regional and community-focused film organizations and collectives. She firmly believes there is no sustainable, ethical or equitable path forward for the independent […]

Funding initiatives that amplify movement-driven modes of distribution and foster an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for documentary filmmakers and impact strategists.   Denae Peters is a Program Officer at Perspective Fund, a grant-making organization funding nonfiction media, where she oversees the documentary impact infrastructure portfolio. She is also a founding board member of Brown Girls […]

Empowering filmmakers to activate their film’s most passionate audience through powerful partnership building, engaging events, and impactful social change campaigns.   Ani Mercedes is CEO, Impact Producer, and Founder of Looky Looky Pictures, which connects the power of films with the power of people, by bringing films to passionate partners and audiences who can use […]

Bridging Latinx creators, stories and culture to bring about positive change, new representation and self actualization. Marángeli Mejía Rabell is a Puerto Rico-born, Philadelphia-based connector, cultural organizer and producer, arts and culture curator and programmer whose work is centered on co-creation, capacity building, leadership development, cross sector collaborations and honoring our roots as a tool […]

Nurturing BIPOC storytellers and working towards a more just and beautiful documentary ecosystem. Loira Limbal is an Afro-Dominican filmmaker and DJ interested in the creation of art that is nuanced and revelatory for communities of color. She is the Senior Vice President of Programs at Firelight Media. Firelight is committed to making films about pivotal […]