FILM

Resilience

Director / Cinematographer / Writer / Editor

Vinh was smuggled out of Vietnam by boat. Miasem had to leave her home, Iraq, because of the war. Patrick moved from the Democratic Republic of Congo after being selected for the Diversity Lottery Visa. Their journeys are unique, but each story is full of resilience, and a dedication to helping others.

I created this film—including developing the concept, conducting audio interviews of each person, filming, and editing the audio and video—for Lutheran Services in Iowa.

American Life

Director / Writer

In this fiction short, 17-year-old Michael uses boxing for moments of escape. But when a gang won’t stop using his brother, he leaves his gloves behind to do what he feels he must to protect his family.

  • 2021 Semi-Finalist, Chicago Indie Film Awards

  • 2020 Official Selection, Venice Shorts

  • 2019 Best Short Film, Boston Film Festival

  • 2018 Albert P. Weisman Award

  • 2018 Columbia College Production Fund Award

Fight for $15 Campaign

Cinematographer* / Editor

While working with Service Employees International Union as the Digital Media Coordinator for Iowa, a significant aspect of my role was covering our days of action. The stakes for coverage were high due to the presence of presidential candidates. While also live tweeting, I’d film the event and cut a film from the footage right after for immediate online distribution on the Fight for $15 social channels.

This is a recap video from one of our largest days of action, featuring a worker strike and Presidential Candidates Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg.

*1:41 - 3:00 was cut from a livestream captured in Twitter’s Media Producer.

What Remains

Director / Cinematographer* / Writer / Editor

A mother fights to save the remaining 10 percent of a 12,000 year old German forest, facing off against an energy company determined to cut down the remaining trees in order to mine coal.

  • Official selection, 2019 Chicago Feminist Film Festival

*Please see credits for the complete list of cinematographers who made this film possible.

Happy Tragedy

Director / Writer / Cinematographer

Sam learns how to live with HIV—battling stigma, economic pains, and mental health struggles—while pursuing his dream of acting in Chicago.

  • 2020 Finalist + Winner, First in the Nation Film Festival

  • 2018 Manifest Urban Arts Festival screening, Chicago

Falling Stars

Director / Writer

A 15-year-old’s choice between protecting her sister or keeping her trust.

  • Official selection, 2018 Chicago Feminist Film Festival

Tin’s Story

Director / Writer / Cinematographer / Editor

Tin came to Iowa from Burma as a refugee. Hear about his journey navigating resettlement and family crisis to eventually join a team, EMBARC, that helps refugees expand their world of possibilities through advocacy, education and community development.

An Iowa Farmer Fights For Justice

Director / Writer / Cinematographer / Editor

While I was working as the Online Organizer at Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, we determined a need to visually communicate that people are the why motivating the work. I developed a day-in-the life series idea and directed, produced, filmed, and edited the series.

The Refugees of Burma Make Iowa Home

Director / Writer / Cinematographer / Editor

Thousands of refugees from Burma have made Iowa home. This film is a glimpse at how Mu Law and Iris Tun are navigating resettlement after escaping violent conflict.