ABOUT THE COHORT PROGRAM:
Our Community Filmmaker Cohort Program is designed to help new and emerging filmmakers collaboratively develop a film. Under the guidance of our professional filmmaker mentors, all of the Cohort participants learn about their skillset in depth, with a collective emphasis on learning about general production. In addition to the production of their short films, each Cohort member has free access to all of our independent filmmaker workshops.
AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM:
At the 2022 New Orleans Film Festival, our Cohort, Jill Campbell, took home the award for Best Louisiana Short Documentary for “Ode to Oda Benga.”
At the 2023 New Orleans Film Festival, our Cohort team of Luke Harris (Director), Jay Falice (Director of Photography) and Lauren Messina (Editor) took home the Audience Award Best Louisiana Short Documentary for “SOUTH BODY.
At the 2024 New Orleans Film Festival, our cohort team of Maaliyah Papillion (Director and Culture-Bearer), Mo Grizzly (Co-Director), Ryan Marrero (Cinematographer), and Jay Evans (Editor)” won the Audience Award for Best Louisiana Short Documentary for “ISHAK”, and our cohort team of Carl Harrison Jr. (Co-Director and Culture-Bearer), Patrice Jones (Co-Director), Avery Scott (Cinematographer), and Alena Cover (Editor) won the Runner Up for the Audience Award Best Louisiana Short Documentary for “The Buzz of St. Roch.”
2024-2025
COMMUNITY FILMMAKER COHORT
“Highlighting challenges that black-birthers face while birthing in institutions and shedding light on the difference birth-workers make in Louisiana.”
Our 2024-2025 Cohort Program is funded in part by Foundation for Louisiana, South Arts and the Jazz and Heritage Foundation.
MENTORS AND FILMMAKING TEAM
INDIA KING ROBINS, CREATIVE PRODUCER
India King Robins is a writer, arts administrator, theater artist, and educator committed to affirming black women and youth through arts and advocacy. She is the Executive Director of a media-based nonprofit, New Orleans Video Access Center, and she worked as a teacher and administrator in New Orleans public schools for almost ten years. As a black, queer woman raised with limited resources in the south, India values equity and shares a vulnerable and authentic perspective on issues that impact people that live in marginalized intersections. India holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where she majored in Journalism and Electronic Media and minored in Theater.
ANGELA TUCKER, PRODUCER MENTOR
Angela Tucker is an Emmy and Webby winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist based in New Orleans, LA. She has crafted a career of deeply humanistic, bold, and varied projects. Her work has screened at festivals globally and has broadcast on NBC, Showtime, PBS, Netflix and Lifetime. Her holiday film, “A New Orleans Noel“ starring Keisha Knight Pulliam and Patti LaBelle aired on Lifetime and she had her first solo art exhibition at The Diboll Gallery. She has an upcoming installation at True/False Film Festival and her documentary, “The Inquisitor,” about political icon Barbara Jordan will be broadcast on PBS. Angela is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has received fellowships from Film Independent, Sundance Institute, Firelight Media, and Chicken & Egg. She received her BA in Theater and African-American Studies from Wesleyan University and her MFA in Film from Columbia University.
NAILAH JEFFERSON, DIRECTOR MENTOR
Nailah Jefferson is a New Orleans born filmmaker intrigued and inspired by the enduring human spirit, whose work spans fiction and nonfiction. Her most recent film, “Commuted,” premiered at the 2023 New Orleans film festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary and Best Louisiana Documentary. “Commuted” told the story of Danielle Metz, a woman whose triple life drug sentence was commuted by President Obama after serving 23 years. The film is available on PBS. 2023 also saw the debut of Nailah’s acclaimed HBO Original documentary, “Donyale Luna: Supermodel” about the first Black supermodel to grace the covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, but whose legacy was lost to history. The film was nominated for a 2024 Grierson Trust Award for Best Arts Documentary.
MISTY TALLEY, EDITOR MENTOR
Misty Talley is an accomplished Director, Editor, and Cinephile with over fifteen years of experience in the film industry. She began her career in 2009 as an Assistant Editor, quickly rising in the ranks to become a sought-after Editor on feature films and documentaries. In 2013 she made history as the first woman to direct a Syfy Channel original film, Zombie Shark. She went on to direct three more Syfy films while continuing her editing work on notable projects like Jeepers Creepers 3. With over 30 feature films edited, and many more completed as post supervisor, and VFX editor, contributing to projects like AMC’s Mayfair Witches, her knowledge extends throughout post production. Known for her work ethic, speed, and attention to detail, Misty is a resourceful and innovative filmmaker, valued for both her creative work and production management.
ALEJANDRO DE LOS RIOS, CINEMATOGRAPHY MENTOR
Alejandro de los Rios is an award-winning Cuban-Venezuelan writer and filmmaker based in New Orleans who has worked with the New Orleans Saints & Pelicans, to name just a few. One of his first projects with NOVAC was the Audience Award-Winning “Ode to Ota Benga“ (2022 New Orleans Film Festival) as Director of Photography & Editor. While his documentary works have ranged from climate change to New Orleans community storytelling, his narrative works focus mostly on dark comedies. His blue heeler mix, Lt. Aldo Raine, is named after Brad Pitt’s iconic character in “Inglorious Basterds.“
ZANA WASHINGTON, COMMUNITY LIAISON
Zana Washington is a mother, doula, mentor, and midwifery student in New Orleans, Louisiana, known as “The Doulas’ Doula” for her holistic approach and mentorship. She founded the “Doulas Empowering The Powerful” Cohort Mentorship program in 2020 and owns Zion Doula Services, LLC. A birth worker since 2017, her passion for maternal health began in childhood, leading her to train as a Medical Assistant and later transition into professional birth work. She became an SMP Doula, a Louisiana Healthy Birth Ambassador, and a certified breastfeeding specialist, perinatal health worker, and childbirth educator. Her midwifery journey began in 2018 under the mentorship of LaMonica Hollins, and she is now in phase two of her studies. Zana has worked with organizations such as Birthmark Doula Collective and Crescent City Family Services and was selected for Louisiana’s first doula pilot program. In 2024, she became a R.E.S.T. Fellow with Sista Midwife Productions, continuing her mission to support, educate, and advocate for families, particularly in underserved communities.
KELSEY SCULT, CREATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER
Kelsey Scult is a New Orleans-based filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist. Her work explores the femme processing of inherited memory, the psychic untangling of intimate partner violence and the physical intersection of desire and decay. She most recently produced the ‘21 Sundance Audience Award-winning feature film, Ma Belle, My Beauty (dir. Marion Hill) which was acquired for theatrical release by Good Deed Entertainment. She is an alumna of the New Orleans Film Society Southern Producers Lab and The Gotham’s Narrative Lab.
FILMMAKERS
Producer: SHARI WILSON
Shari Wilson is a rising writer and director from the heart of rural Louisiana, now making her mark in New Orleans. Her work passionately highlights and celebrates Black womanhood, juxtaposing its rich tapestry of experiences with the profound challenges and struggles explored through a lens of self-excavation. She aims to illuminate the stories of Black women in the South, ensuring that those who feel isolated find their voices and connect through her narratives.
Producer: SAMAIYAH CLAYTON
Samaiyah Clayton is a dedicated social work professional and creative advocate passionate about empowering Black communities. With extensive experience in program management, trauma-informed care, and community engagement, she has worked to support victims of violence, promote healthy relationships, and provide emotional support to those in need. Her creative background includes acting, stage managing, and advocacy theater, where she has used storytelling to raise awareness on social issues. Her work reflects a commitment to education, personal growth, and social change through professional and creative endeavors.
Director: AUSINIKKA TROY
Film and visual artist native to New Orleans, Ausinikka (Nikka) kickstarted her career after graduating from the University of New Orleans, and joining LEDE NOLA as a junior and senior fellow journalists. Following her fellowship she worked as Field Producer for IHeart Media’s Class Action Podcast hosted by MSNBC’s Katie Phang, and was 2nd Assistant Director for the southern gothic tale The Climbing Rose of the Garden District. Currently, she is Associate Producer for the upcoming PBS Documentary The Inquisitor and Media Arts Curator for Read the Leaves Magazine.
Director: KIERSTEN IFAKEMI GILLETTE-PIERCE
Kiersten TâLéigh « Gillette » Gillette-Pierce, MSPH (she/they) is a seasoned sexual and reproductive health researcher and public health advocate with over a decade of experience in community-driven research and policy. As a student of both traditional and clinical medicine, they specialize in reproductive and birth justice, having worked with organizations like the Amandla Group, LLC, the National Birth Equity Collaborative, and USAID. With expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research, Gillette has led initiatives on topics ranging from climate crisis impacts to racial bias in healthcare, and has provided doula support for Black birthing individuals. She is dedicated to advancing health equity, dismantling systemic barriers, and promoting multidisciplinary collaboration to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
Editor: KAI DAVIS
Kai Davis is a 25 year-old native to New Orleans, Louisiana. In undergrad, she served as a Videographer, Editor, Producer, and President of the Student Media Organization at Xavier University of Louisiana where she received her bachelor’s in Mass Communication. Kai has worked on two documentary films: One about XULA and USC Annenberg students’ mental health during COVID-19 and their return to campus; the other about exploring expats who reside in Ghana and their experience. She has her master’s degree in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing. She currently works as a freelance photographer, writer for The Now and is a member of the marketing team under Future Now Media Foundation.
Editor: TIA ALPHONSE
Tia Alphonse is an emerging filmmaker and educator with hands-on experience in production and a background in storytelling for social media and journalism. Based in New Orleans, she is currently an adjunct professor at Xavier University of Louisiana where she teaches courses like film appreciation, Black cinema, and various reporting classes. She is excited to blend her passion for film and reporting background in this latest documentary project with NOVAC.
Director of Photography: MARA MACHETE
Mara Machete is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist from Oakland, California, whose work explores identity, resistance, and liberation. As a Black queer woman, her films confront systemic oppression, grief, and survival, transforming personal and collective struggles into powerful narratives of healing and empowerment. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in filmmaking, Mara has spent the past three years working full-time in the film industry, honing her craft and deepening her vision. Influenced by her upbringing in a household of Black Studies professors and her activist work in Cuba, Mara’s storytelling blends surreal visuals with raw emotion, offering a visceral call to action through art.
Director of Photography: JOANITAH NAKIGGWE
Joanitah Nakiggwe (she/hers) is a compassionate thinker eager to document and highlight the stories of others. Her identities as a Black woman and Ugandan-American impact a lot of the work she does. She has always wanted to use her creative pursuits to empower others and help make their stories visible. For instance, in university, her participation in undergraduate student government led her to serve as the chair of the diversity, inclusion, and equity committee, where she facilitated discussions on systems of oppression as a community engagement advocate, conducted research on women of color in modern pop music within library archives, and worked for the Black Feminist Rants Podcast. Joanitah hopes to one day combine her passion for sociology, mental health, and photography to tell stories about how identity is formed and shifts with experiences like migration or motherhood; she has started on this with her photo journal entitled PEARLESCENT: My Photo Journal of Ugandan Femininity. She has since participated in the Lede Community Reporting Fellowship–helping produce a short documentary called “For the Love of Land” – and has been collaborating in a small design studio with her friends. In the meantime, she will be watching pottery videos, writing letterboxed reviews, and refining her photography skills.
2021-2024
COMMUNITY FILMMAKER COHORT
MENTORING TEAM
KELSEY SCULT
Kelsey Scult is a New Orleans-based filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist. Her work explores the femme processing of inherited memory, the psychic untangling of intimate partner violence and the physical intersection of desire and decay. She most recently produced the ‘21 Sundance Audience Award-winning feature film, Ma Belle, My Beauty (dir. Marion Hill) which was acquired for theatrical release by Good Deed Entertainment. She is an alumna of the New Orleans Film Society Southern Producers Lab and The Gotham’s Narrative Lab.
ALEJANDRO DE LOS RIOS
Alejandro de los Rios is an award-winning Cuban-Venezuelan writer and filmmaker based in New Orleans who has worked with the New Orleans Saints & Pelicans, to name just a few. One of his first projects with NOVAC was the Audience Award-Winning “Ode to Ota Benga“ (2022 New Orleans Film Festival) as Director of Photography & Editor. While his documentary works have ranged from climate change to New Orleans community storytelling, his narrative works focus mostly on dark comedies. His blue heeler mix, Lt. Aldo Raine, is named after Brad Pitt’s iconic character in “Inglorious Basterds.“
GIAN FRANCISCO SMITH
Gian Francisco Smith is a New Orleans based, multi-disciplinary artist and community organizer. Currently, Smith is serving as festival director for the annual Black Film Festival of New Orleans, which he founded in 2018, and as Creative Services Coordinator for New Orleans Video Access Center, while he works to complete his feature length film “The Capitalist” expected to premiere in 2024.
2023-2024
COMMUNITY FILMMAKER COHORT
“Preserving Traditions & Heritage Through the Lens of Louisiana Cultural Practioners.”
Our 2023-2024 Cohort Program is supported in part by awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, New Orleans Culture and Tourism Fund, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the RAC
FILMS
ISHAK
The Atakapa-Išhak Nation of Southwest Louisiana is experiencing a cultural resurgence. A new leader has been tapped to learn the ways of her elders and carry on their sacred traditions. Determined to advocate for her tribe, this is her story of remembering her heritage in a state that has forgotten her people.
Produced by NOVAC and Gian Smith, Cinematography and Editing Mentor Alejandro de los Rios.
The Buzz of St. Roch
This film follows beekeeper Carl Harrison Jr. in his journey of building a bee sanctuary on his family land in St. Roch and preserving the legacy of Black beekeepers in Louisiana.
Produced by NOVAC and Kelsey Scult. Cinematography and Editing Mentor Alejandro de los Rios.
FILMMAKERS
“ISHAK” Director & Culture-Bearer:
MAALIYAH PAPILLION
Maaliyah Papillion is a Creole and Indigenous actress, singer, model, director, and third-generation healer from a long line of Indigenous leaders. She’s a master’s student in the MLS Indigenous Law program at the University of Oklahoma and an enthusiastic council member of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation of Southwest Louisiana. She is also the owner of Chrysalis Transformative Healing, a wellness-focused collective that specializes in teaching emotional regulation techniques with an emphasis on self-care. Her debut poetry book Feathers, Fledglings and Flight (2025) focuses on retelling her ancestors’ stories in modern ways.
“ISHAK” Co-Director:
MO GRIZZLY
A storyteller at heart, Mo Grizzly spent the past two decades crafting narratives through the power of still images. Now, their passion ignites with filmmaking. Their keen eye and storytelling ability translate seamlessly into film, bringing a unique perspective to the director’s chair.
“ISHAK” Director of Photography:
RYAN MARRERO
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ryan Marrero is an American freelance photographer, videographer, creative, and documentarian. Ryan seizes audiences’ attention through stunning visuals and beautiful images through his photography & film production company Marrero Production LLC. Ryan has a passion for capturing timeless moments during events, weddings, concerts, & more. In the near future, Ryan plans to open an educational film production studio, empowering others to bring their creative visions to fruition and creating a pathway for individuals to succeed.
“ISHAK” Editor:
JAY EVANS
Jay Evans (Ifadamilare Fayemi) is a nonbinary, multidisciplinary visual artist and storyteller from New Orleans, LA. Their commitment to preserving and sharing narratives through digital mediums seeks to bridge the past and present, filling in the gaps of lost perspectives with hope for the future.
“The Buzz of St. Roch” Co-Director & Culture-Bearer:
CARL HARRISON, JR.
Carl Harrison Jr. is a New Orleans-based filmmaker, artist, and educator whose work explores the powerful intersection of storytelling, cultural heritage, and environmental justice. Through film and media, Carl captures and celebrates the rich traditions and vibrant communities that shape his city. His short film, “The Buzz of Saint Roch,” beautifully documents his family’s legacy of urban farming and community resilience in New Orleans’ Saint Roch neighborhood. Carl’s creative vision extends beyond the camera lens. As a member of The Front, the Brackish Artist Collective, the NOMA Creative Assembly, and a former Southern Foodways Alliance artist-in-residence, he bridges art and activism. His dedication to food sovereignty and environmental education led him to establish an urban farm and bee sanctuary, creating a living classroom where theory meets practice. In his work with young people, Carl sparks imagination and builds confidence, guiding them to tell their own stories and forge deeper connections with their surroundings. Now, as NOVAC’s Youth Instructor for Environmental Justice Filmmaking, he brings this holistic approach to a new generation of storytellers—empowering them to use media as a tool for change and to celebrate the beauty, strength, and urgency of their communities’ narratives. Discover more of Carl’s work at carlharrisonjr.com.
“The Buzz of St. Roch” Co-Director:
PATRICE JONES
Patrice E. Jones is a storyteller and cultural preservationist based in New Orleans. Inspired by her rich ancestral legacy, Patrice’s work explores liberation through land, family tradition, and archival materials.
“The Buzz of St. Roch” Director of Photography:
AVERY SCOTT
Born in New Orleans and raised in Kenner, LA, and Lafayette, Co, Avery attend Centarus High School in Lafayette and Grace King High School in Metairie. He currently works as a pest control technician, but his ultimate goal is to become a full-time documentary filmmaker.
“The Buzz of St. Roch” Editor:
ALENA COVER
2022-2023
COMMUNITY FILMMAKER COHORT
“The Intersection of Local Cultural Practices and Matters of Social Justice.”
Our 2022-2023 Cohort Program is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the RAC. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
FILMS
SOUTH BODY
“SOUTH BODY” explores the untold stories of plus-sized Black men in the South talking about their relationships with their bodies. Winner of the 2023 New Orleans Film Festival Audience Award for Best Short Louisiana Documentary. Directed by Luke Harris. Cinematography by Jay Falice. Edited by Lauren Messina.
HOMECOMING
”Homecoming“ looks at the many factors – from gentrification, to climate change, to lack of resources – that pushes many native New Orleanians to relocate, and asks those who choose to stay what has kept them here. Directed by Fred Olaleye. Cinematography by Lemar Arceneaux. Edited by Harley King.
FILMMAKERS
SOUTH BODY Director:
LUKE HARRIS
Luke’s first short film, “The Choice,” won silver at the NAACP Act-So. Afterwards, he created Lucky Luke Productions and has worked on numerous films and productions in New Orleans, including an internship at NOVAC, and created a film club at his local library. Luke graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, majoring in Film and Television. While there, he was the President of the African American Cinema Society founded and created by John Singleton. His short film “Tambou“ won the #CreateLouisiana French Culture Film Grant of $25,000 and was released in early 2023.
SOUTH BODY Director of Photography:
JAY FALICE
Jason “Jay” Falice was introduced to the film industry when he lived in Atlanta, Georgia in 2018. He was an extra in a Tyler Perry film. Once he stepped foot on set, he instantly knew that he needed to work in the production industry on the other side of that camera. Within the past year, Jay transitioned careers and decided to pursue a career as a filmmaker.
Jay has experience working on music videos, documentaries, short films, and commercials. Jay’s overall goal is to become a director of photography. Jay is participating in this year’s NOVAC Community Filmmaker Cohort as a DP and he’s eager to learn everything they’re willing to teach.
SOUTH BODY Editor:
LAUREN MESSINA
Lauren Ashlee Messina, M.F.A. (she/her) is a parent artist driven to pursue creativity, collaboration, and community primarily through the practice of dance. Lauren was a 2022 performing artist-in-residence at the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans and a proud participant in the Moving Toward Justice Open Workshop, a 2022 pilot program at Gibney Company. At a crossroads in her artistic journey, Lauren is excited to pursue growing interests in filmmaking as part of NOVAC’s Community Cohort.
“Homecoming” Director:
FRED OLALEYE
Surrealist storyteller with a love for daily life. Their work draws on cultural heritage and explores themes of belonging. Experienced in big box narratives, branded content, reality, and documentaries- they are venturing into producing, directing, and crafting content that empowers communities by platforming cultural stories.
“Homecoming” Director of Photography:
LEMAR ARCENEAUX
The stone the builder refused.
“Homecoming” Editor:
HARLEY KING
Originally from New York City, Harley has lived in New Orleans for 10 years. She recently edited “Community In Conflict: The Santa Fe Internment Camp Marker“ which screened at the Santa Fe International Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, and LA Femme Film Festival this fall.
2021-2022
COMMUNITY FILMMAKER COHORT
“The Intersection of Local Cultural Practices and Matters of Social Justice.”
Our 2021-2022 Cohort Program is under SYNC UP Cinema and SYNC UP Seminar and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation in partnership with NOVAC with primary sponsorship by Film New Orleans and supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
FILMS
Ode to Oda Benga
Ota Benga was forced into enslavement throughout his lifetime. One family tried to make him a home here in his captive country. This is their story.
Homeless NOLA
In attempt to escape an abusive and violent relationship, a woman seeks refuge at a woman sheltered, but she is turned away. Out of desperation, she the goers on a journey to find a Kabbalist priestess to have a glance into the future, as her present looks dismal.
People are Trees
“People Are Trees” follows the journey of a new homeowner (Ashley) who decides to cut down the tree in her front yard due to safety concerns. She soon discovers that the tree she cut down holds sentimental value for members of her community, including Ms. Trena Diles, who planted the tree and lived in the house for twelve years. After learning of the tree’s significance to Ms.Trena and how it helped her overcome personal hardships, Ashley decides to interview Ms. Trena and others about the tree’s history and connection to the neighborhood. Feeling remorseful for what she had done, Ashley also decides to create a tree sculpture that pays homage to Ms.Trena and her beloved tree. Ashley presents the tree sculpture to Ms. Trena and the neighborhood in the hopes that it repairs the fabric of the neighborhood.
Once Upon a Time in New Orleans: Sacred Rhythms
“Once Upon a Time in New Orleans: Sacred Rhythms” is a micro-doc about Louisiana’s underrepresented and marginalized Indigenous Tribes.
FILMMAKERS
“Ode to Oda Benga” Director:
JILL CAMPBELL
Filmmaker Jill Campbell was born and raised in California. Jill fell in love with filmmaking during her childhood filming her elders, listening to their stories, roots and family history. In 1995, Jill moved to Washington DC with her two- year old daughter, Mai Pearl to attend Howard University. Jill earned a BBA at Howard and a MA in Educational Leadership. After her studies and Marketing career in DC, Jill returned home to Sacramento, California to be closer to family. She helped schools and communities build their capacity to support underserved students and their families. In 2019, Jill was chosen by the Greater New Orleans Teach For America (TFA) program to teach middle school students from historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities. Currently, living in New Orleans, the city that Jill has come to call home (with pride and joy) Jill is finally following her passion for film, storytelling and adventure. This is Jill’s debut film. “Ode to Ota Benga” is a proof of concept for a larger project to share with the world. Jill is also the founder of “R” Babies “R” Us and Mai Pearl Films.
“Homeless NOLA” Director:
VIVIANA ELENA DE LA ROSA
Viviana de la Rosa is a visual artist, who is proud to call New Orleans home. She’s a fashion designer, a painter, an accomplished opera singer, and now adds to her profile film directing, as she debuts as a filmmaker, forming part of NOVAC’s Filmmaker Community Cohort 2022. Viviana de la Rosa’s career as a filmmaker has just begun, and there is a bright future ahead of her in the film industry. In the Fall of 2022, she showcased her director’s skills in the docufilm: A DAY AND A LIFE OF A HOMELESS WOMAN. Drawing from her personal experience as a battered and abused woman, she explores the struggles of a single homeless individual, bringing awareness to a social problem, not only plaguing the City of New Orleans, but the nation as a social pandemic. Desperately, this social problem is in need of social change and justice. She is a proud alumni of Dillard University, earning a BA in Spanish and French; and MA in Visual and Critical Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
“People are Trees” Director:
ASHLEY JONES
Ashley Jones is a native New Orleanian, an educator, and filmmaker. Ashley considers herself a community filmmaker. She is committed to bringing her communities collective power, beauty, and humanity to life.
