Interviews with Female and GNC Filmmakers
In our interviews, we’re able to share the success stories and celebrate the work of established female and GNC filmmakers. These filmmakers are sharing their knowledge with the TLL community to expand educational equity in Hollywood and also provide insight into the steps they’ve taken in their lives.
Director Dylan Mars Greenberg on Queering Horror and Making Your Film No Matter What
Dylan Mars Greenberg is a queer, trans filmmaker, video artist, musician, and performer from New York City. Greenberg has directed six feature films, going on seven. Her work has been featured in Vice, PAPER, New York Times, and more.
Patrice Bowman on Challenging Yourself As a Creator
Patrice Bowman is a New York City-based director, writer, editor, and colorist. She’s fascinated by the way that film and the arts can impact society. She graduated with a B.A. in Film Studies - Production from Yale University in 2015. Her first short, the award-winning "Lean on Him," played in film festivals across the USA. She’s the founder of Bowman Pictures, LLC, a production and post-production company.
Iz Harris: The Travel Filmmaker You Need to Be Following
Iz Harris is a DC based youtuber, travel filmmaker, and digital producer. Through her youtube, Iz documents her life as a full-time creative, avid traveler, and mom. From her start as a wedding videographer duo almost a decade ago with her husband, Johnny Harris, Iz has grown in her storytelling, medium, and journey sharing online. Her youtube spans videos covering her mental health and visual poems, to easy recipes and most notably- her travel videos. Iz is also the host and producer of Eater’s “Travel Eat Repeat” and the co-founder of Bright Trip, a site with online courses for travelers.
So Yun Um: The Filmmaker Widening the Lens of Digital Storytelling
So Yun Um is an LA based Korean filmmaker, critic, and programmer focused on showcasing the stories of marginalized groups through her work. Her upcoming documentary feature film called LIQUOR STORE DREAMS, focuses on second-generation Korean American children of Liquor Store owners in the LA area.
Dunya Djordjevic on Advocating for Yourself as a Female Filmmaker
Dunya Djordjevic is an LA based filmmaker whose passion for storytelling spans post film and theatre. Throughout her life she’s worked on what it means to advocate for your stories as a female filmmaker and uplift the voices of others as well. She’s directed multiple features and is also the lead for Camp Reel Stories- LA chapter.
Crystal Correa: the Filmmaker Building a Career on Her Terms
Crystal Correa is the brain behind the critically acclaimed series “Crystal the Web Series” as well as founder of C+ Media Productions. Her creativity spans painting, hair dressing, and computer science- her desire for creativity is insatiable. With recognition from HollyShorts, LAL FemFest, and acceptance into HBO’s NYLFF, Crystal Correa has found a way to be a filmmaker on HER terms.
Savannah Magruder on Tackling Sex and Flipping the Male Gaze through Film
Savannah Magruder is a Brooklyn based filmmaker originally hailing from Maine. Her past work in film includes directing and production design credits where encapsulates themes of queerness and feminism. Her work has landed her press from Vice, Stereogum, and Brooklyn Vegan and also recognition from the Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, the New Hampshire Film Festival, and the NewFilmmakers New York program at Anthology Film Archives. Currently in pre-production for her next short “Debbie Does Dilators”, we spoke to Savannah about sex in film, the male gaze, and her process as a filmmaker.
Sonejuhi Sinha: Director, Editor and Your Next Favorite Filmmaker
Sonejuhi Sinha is nothing short of remarkable. Her start in film took root in editing but soon moved to producing and directing. She’s won Gold Lions at Cannes as well as a number of awards at the Little Rock Film Festival, and the Minnesota Film Festival amongst others. For her next narrative short film, Love Comes Later, she was a recipient of Tribeca All Access development grant. She’s also finished Tribeca Film Institute’s Through Her Lens program where she was mentored by Dee Rees, Catherine Hardwicke, Rashida Jones among others. Sonejuhi truly shines as a filmmaker to watch and we’re excited to share her knowledge.
A Career Without Fear: An Interview with Tilane Jones of ARRAY NOW
Tilane Jones holds many titles, each one more impressive as the list goes on. Director’s Assistant of the 2014’s blockbuster, Selma. Producer of Academy Award nominated documentary 13th. Executive director of ARRAY Now… and many say Ava Duvernay’s right hand. We spoke to Jones about ARRAY Now, how she feels about diverse media, and forging your own path.
Kat Lazo: the Latina Calling Us Out (In the Best Ways)
Kat Lazo is Latina director, writer, and actress from Queens, NY with more than 1 million views on her YouTube channel, a residency as a YouTube partner, and bragging rights as the first East Coast video producer for “We Are Mitu” a digital only media company for Latinos. Her webseries with “We Are Mitu”, The Kat Call has garnered more than 4 million views in its first season. By harnessing the power of her identity and creating video content for a group television often ignores, Lazo has found a way to undermine the lack of diversity otherwise around her.
Directing the Screen with Rosemary Rodriguez
Rosemary Rodriguez is a Film and Television Director originally from New Hampshire. Her first feature film Acts of Worship premiered at the Sundance film festival and was nominated for two Independant Spirit Awards. You’ve probably seen her television directing during your last binge watch session. With Jessica Jones, Empire, The Good Wife, Rescue Me, and so much more under her belt- she is absolutely #WorkWeAdmire. Rosemary also serves as the 4th VP of the Director’s Guild of America.
Fighting Self Doubt with Breonna Rodriguez
Breonna Rodriguez is a writer, designer, and filmmaker currently living on the Upper East Side. Her dynamic skills, outgoing personality, and determination have landed her in incredible places. Originally from NJ, Breonna is the lead digital designer for Sesame Street, Founder of Zenfulie, and Staff Writer at HERMag.com.