About
“For its elegant camera work, sound design and narrative structure, its quietly beautiful depiction of the texture of its subjects’ daily lives, and its achievement in articulating contradictions while maintaining a sense of hope, the Outfest Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film goes to Born This Way.”
I make documentaries and commercials that transform intimate human truth into powerful and revelatory stories.

Born This Way, my first feature-length documentary, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and won awards around the world for its portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon. Possible Selves, my newest film, tells the stories of young people growing up in foster care. These films immerse viewers in the lives of the onscreen participants, allowing us to connect deeply with them and to discover many layers of meaning in their lives.
But before I discovered filmmaking, I was a lanky gay kid in conservative Central California where I learned to be brave and to trust my own voice. I was the first in my family to go to college. I studied experimental music at Carleton College where I learned to be artistically fearless. As a Fulbright Scholar in Sri Lanka during the country’s tragic civil war, I learned empathy and respect for multiple perspectives. And as North American marketing director for BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle company, I learned that a brand’s story can be as powerful as an individual’s.
While creating commercials and branded content, I have had the pleasure to work around the world with clients including General Electric, The Courage Campaign, People for the American Way and Partners in Health.
I bring all of this experience to my filmmaking practice, allowing me to tell stories with deep empathy and sophisticated storytelling technique. If you’d like to discuss working together, please say hello. I’ll bet we can make something exquisite together.
“For its elegant camera work, sound design and narrative structure, its quietly beautiful depiction of the texture of its subjects’ daily lives, and its achievement in articulating contradictions while maintaining a sense of hope, the Outfest Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film goes to Born This Way.”
Documentary
Roles: Director, Producer, Cinematographer
Possible Selves is an intimate, coming-of-age documentary that follows two brave teenagers in foster care through their tumultuous high school years. It is the first feature-length documentary to tell the stories of foster kids from their own perspectives. It follows Alex, Mia and their friends as they strive to attain a goal that only 3% of adults who grew up in foster care reach: graduating from college. Released and available for purchase to stream on Good Docs. To see more: https://possibleselvesmovie.com
Roles: Director, Producer, Cinematographer
The award-winning documentary portrait of the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon. Premiered at the Berlin International Film festival and won top honors at Outfest, Amnesty International Movies that Matter, and many more. To see more:
https://www.bornthiswaydocumentary.com
Roles: Director, Producer
A portrait of two lovably norm-defying retired teachers in rural Tennessee. Winner of the Jury Award for Best Documentary Short at Outfest.
Commercial
Yacht Party
Roles: Writer, Director and Producer
Client: Courage Campaign
BYD Trucks: Hard at Work
Role: Producer
Client: BYD
Insurance Jive
Roles: Writer, Director, Producer
Client: California Nurses Association
The Queen’s Cartoonists
Roles: Director, Producer
Client: Columbia Artists Music
Climate Leaders Summit
Roles: Director, Producer
Client: City of Los Angeles
California Hangover
Roles: Writer, Director
Client: Courage Campaign
Fidelity
Role: Director
Client: Courage Campaign
Contact
If you’d like to discuss working together, speaking engagements, screenings or anything else, please say hello!