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 from his violent Chicago community. 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
EMBARC helps refugees expand their world of possibilities through advocacy, education and community development. Tin is on staff, and a refugee from Burma who is persevering through the challenges of resettlement. This is his story.
An Iowa Farmer Fights For Justice
Director / Writer / Cinematographer / Editor
While I was working as the Online Organizer at Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, the organization wanted to put a more human face on their work. I love day-in-the-life pieces so I proposed a series on the people that make CCI’s work possible.
The Refugees of Burma Make Iowa Home
Director / Writer / Cinematographer / Editor
Nearly 10,000 refugees from Burma have made Iowa home. Resettlement is at times a harrowing and difficult journey; a journey that Mu Law and Iris Tun are navigating with resilience after having escaped violent conflict.