Tiane Parris

Director | Her Time is Now

It’s not a film class, it’s a social justice experience. Every decision made had real-life implications hence this is a microcosm for life. Eternally grateful for the people of Siaya, Kenya for showing me the power of creativity, self-determination, and community.

Meg Martin

Director | Her Time is Now

Working on this Social Justice Documentary project has forever changed the way I look at storytelling and its abilities. I’d like to thank our strong and creative collaborators since this process would be impossible without them. I am forever grateful that we were welcomed to experience and immerse ourselves in their communities and collaborate together to structure an empowering story. 

Kristine Rivera

Producer | Her Time is Now & NINA

In Siaya, Kenya, I was granted the opportunity to meet such inspiring people and hear profound stories. The amount of gratitude I feel for our collaborators, professors, and all else who have supported us in this process of both filmmaking and growth is immense. I am proud to be afforded the opportunity to amplify voices that tend to be silenced, and hope that our documentaries facilitate positive social change.

Joe Adams

Producer | Her Time is Now & NINA

Getting to experience and produce this social justice documentary has been an unforgettable experience. The stories I have heard throughout the process from everyone we met have been incredible. Through combining my love for filmmaking and social change, I have been able to learn so much from our collaborators, while also working to tell their stories, because everyone needs to hear them.

Jameson Ford

Producer and Co-Head Writer | 

Her Time is Now

I have always had a passion for Social Justice and I am so grateful to be given the platform as a writer and producer to highlight the voices of the women in Siaya. By the power of human connection and the art of storytelling, this experience has allowed me to learn and develop a deeper understanding of others and myself.

Sydney Porter

Line Producer and Co-Head Writer | 

Her Time is Now

This experience has combined my love for storytelling and filmmaking while deepening my passion for social justice on the global and local levels. I am so grateful for the connections I’ve made with our collaborators and the lasting impact that their stories will have on my life.

Mia Clingham

Line Producer and Fundraising & Initiatives | NINA

This experience has allowed me to grow in my role as a line producer and reinvigorate my why: my family. Amplifying these voices and producing our initiatives gives me hope that important changes will be effective. 

Sata Mander

Fundraising & Initiatives | Her Time is Now

I chose to join the Social Doc class to gain more knowledge about social justice and documentary making. I am an Environmental Studies and Communication double major. I want to use my knowledge of Environmental Studies and the knowledge from this class to create children’s shows for Environmental Social Change.

Nick Bacani

Director of Photography and Editor | 

Her Time is Now

Being able to combine my love for filmmaking and learning of new cultures has made this experience my favorite and the most impactful of my entire life.

Luke Denatale

Director of Photography and Editor | 

Her Time is Now

Filmmaking is what drew me into this process, but throughout my journey thus far I have come to the conclusion that film is less about cameras and lenses and more about human connection and storytelling. That’s really what’s moved me the most, the friendships we have built amongst ourselves as a team and with our collaborators. They have incredible stories to tell, and I want to do what I can to help share them.

Jalen Goodman

Assistant Editor | Her Time is Now

Being a part of the documentary has allowed me to see how everything behind the scenes is done. Before joining I never thought I would join a team that’s so passionate about the art of film and that’s something that I admire about the team.

Olivia Speaker

Writer & Researcher | Her Time is Now

I have always been interested in storytelling ever since I was little being constantly surrounded my film. This class creates the opportunity for telling a story that truly matters and using the medium of film to do this. I have met amazing people who have helped me grow in my love for filmmaking and my passion for storytelling.

Adrianna Ogando

Director | NINA

I am so grateful for all the amazing women, mobilizers, leaders, and people I had the opportunity to meet and work in Siaya, Kenya. I have been able to learn so much from them and their work. This experience has allowed me to use a medium I'm unfamiliar with, film, to explore my passion for advocating for social justice, women's rights,  and inclusive education. I’m so excited to continue to learn and grow throughout this process! 

Moroti Adewole

Director | NINA

I am inspired by the perseverance of the women, students, and educators I met who are continually challenging unjust societal laws and norms. I want to do them justice by portraying their stories in a way that moves a global audience to experience the same feelings I had while in Kenya, while further being led to support the initiatives linked with our films. 

Mikyla Lemole

Director of Photographer and Editor | NINA

Working on this project has not only honed my filming and photography skills but has allowed me to connect with amazing, empowering people of all ages that have truly changed my perspective on life. I feel more confident and empowered in my own womanhood as well as a filmmaker. 

A.J. Fezza

Director of Photography and Editor | NINA

Making a professional documentary with peers who are just as passionate is an unparalleled experience. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet such dynamic people in the Siaya region and help convey their stories through the medium of film. 

Olivia Gordon

Editor | NINA

Working as an editor for the NINA documentary has allowed me to truly combine my passions for filmmaking, media production, and disability advocacy. This, while also collaborating with like-minded peers, has inspired me to continue working hard to tell stories that deserve to be heard and given a voice.

Mark Anthony Graham

Writer and Fundraising & Initiatives | NINA

This class is an opportunity to combine my passion for both storytelling and social justice. There are infinite stories to be told, yet we hear similar ones all the time. I feel privileged to be a part of a team that is amplifying the stories we do not hear often enough.

Andrea Campos

Marketing Co-Chair | NINA

I wanted to join this class because I have a passion for both social justice and film. I am excited to mesh the two together and be a part of producing a work that is powerful and insightful. I’m looking forward to growing my knowledge on women’s rights and the deaf community in Siaya and being able to uplift and share their voices with others.

Daniel Mezzalingua

Marketing Co-Chair | NINA

Creating this documentary has not only been an invaluable lesson in the processes of production but has also taught me about teamwork and helped me understand the passion that is behind a compelling story. 

Aubrey Bowles

Documentary Behind the Documentary (DBD) Chair

Social Justice is as important as ever right now in the United States and all around the world. Working on these films and being a part of this class has really allowed me to deepen my knowledge surrounding social justice and also to advance my understanding and passion for editing and storytelling.

Maddie Burke

Documentary Behind the Documentary (DBD) Editor

I wanted to be a part of this amazing experience and be able to observe and learn more about the filmmaking experience with a great group of people. The life-changing experiences that this group has had together and being able to make such an amazing film about it is something they will never forget and something I get to be a part of which is awesome.

Trey Patterson

Documentary Behind the Documentary (DBD) Editor

I’m looking forward to being a part of this special project that is focusing on Social Justice and filmmaking. This is my first time taking a documentary class but I’ve always been intrigued by documentaries and the inner workings of how one is made so I’m thrilled to be a part of one and work with other great students for a great cause.