Documentary films
My purpose as a documentary filmmaker is to tell stories that change the way people walk through the world by inspiring curiosity, wonder, and empathy. I aspire to tell stories that move people.
With Grace
National Geographic, United Nations Population Fund, Vox Media's Seeker Indie Showcase
With Grace is a documentary about the state of maternal healthcare in rural Zambia. The film follows 32 year old Grace Hachiswenya as she sets out to have a successful delivery in a country with some of the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality in the world. This documentary was funded by the National Geographic Society. I directed, filmed, and edited this film. Click here to watch the full film.
Fred The Tap Dancing Turkey
National Geographic, WeAnimals Media
Discover the enchanting world of Fred Astaire, the tap-dancing turkey at Rancho Compasión, an animal sanctuary in California. Rescued from a Thanksgiving fate, Fred’s colorful displays and playful antics redefine our understanding of animal emotions. This short documentary invites you into the sanctuary, challenging preconceptions and highlighting the shared bonds between humans and our feathered companions. I directed, filmed, and edited this film.
Dear Santa
Hulu, Apple TV, IFC Films
Dear Santa shines a light on the 100-year-old ‘Operation Santa’ Program of the United States Postal Service. Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa arrive at Post Offices around the country. Through Operation Santa, the United States Postal Service makes it possible for the public to safely adopt these letters and make children’s dreams come true. The film invites audiences along for the magic of this massive endeavor. I worked on this film as a DP.
The Carpenter
The Atlantic Selects, National Geographic Short Film Showcase, American Documentary Film Festival, NBC
This is a short film from Lusaka, Zambia about a double amputee who works as a carpenter hand making devices for children with disabilities. I directed, filmed, and edited this short documentary, which was chosen to be part of The Atlantic Selects & National Geographic documentary film showcases, and is a 2019 selection of the American Documentary Film Festival.
I'm Nancy Rubin
HBO, Amazon Prime, Discovery +
Hi I’m: is a documentary series about extraordinary individuals who share stories from their lives that exemplify the diversity of the human experience and the resiliency of the human spirit. This episode, which I worked on as a cinematographer is about an extraordinary high school teacher who is honored for a unique 40+ year project, mailing letters to former students from their teenage selves.
Kickstart Joy
National Geographic, Mill Valley Film Festival
This short doc tells the stories of Ali Osama Al Wadi (13) and Laila Shukri Shwamrah (12), who have been living in Jordan’s Za’atari Refugee Camp for over 5 years. Ali and Laila reflect on their experience at the start of the war in Syria, what it’s like living in the refugee camp, and the role soccer plays in their lives today, thanks in part to organizations like Kickstart Joy. I directed, filmed, and edited this short documentary, which was chosen to be part of National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase.
Golden Hour
Trail Running Film Festival
The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. Western States draws the top ultrarunners in the world, who can finish the race in under 15 hours. But perhaps the race’s most exhilarating finishes happen in double that time, as everyday people try to finish under the 30-hour time cutoff. Known as the Golden Hour, the final hour of the race is a celebration of persistence, courage, and grit. I directed, filmed, and edited this short documentary.