Essential Knowledge For

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Capturing Visions, Creating Change: The Art Of

Katja Esson

Behind The Lens: The Journey Of

Katja Esson

Behind The Lens: The Journey Of

Katja Esson

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Through The Lens: A Glimpse Into

Katja Esson

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Celebrating Our Graduates
Discussion between filmmakers, part of TWN’s genre-specific events focused on storytelling.
People in the street
women doing experiments
Camera woman
People standing

Voices Of Impact: Celebrating

Katja Esson

's

Vision

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story.

Jordan Lee
Jordan Lee
,
Documentary Filmmaker & twn Workshop Graduate

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Jordan Lee
Jordan Lee, Documentary Filmmaker & twn Workshop Graduate

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Jordan Lee
Jordan Lee, Documentary Filmmaker & twn Workshop Graduate

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Jordan Lee
Jordan Lee, Documentary Filmmaker & twn Workshop Graduate

"Emphasizing the importance of dialogue and the recuperation of fragmented, interlinked histories, they also confront the continuum of colonization in the predatory tourist industry of globalization."

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Yasmina Price
,
Film Curator

“It wasn’t until I took a film workshop at TWN that I actually believed that I could make a film.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Yance Ford
,
Oscar-Nominated Director and TWN Production Workshop Graduate

“Technique for us is secondary. The people themselves have a rich life experience, a knowledge of history and their culture and community organization. And these people are far more qualified to make films than people who have learned their skills in a school."

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Christine Choy
,
Co-Founder of Third World Newsreel and Oscar Nominated Director

“I learned to shoot and edit on video, but the most important thing I learned was how to collaborate with people on the stories that mattered to us.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Grace Lee
,
Director of American Revolutionary (2014) & The Grace Lee Project (2005)

“TWN Production Program serves as a gateway for emerging makers to move forward – several have managed with their workshop film projects to then enter the elite film schools, others have gone straight into the field, including colleagues that I work with in the industry now.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Sam Pollard
,
Oscar and Emmy nominated Director/Producer/Editor

“It was a great experience that I continue to cherish."

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Cyrille Phipps
,
Independent Filmmaker

“I learned so much both technically and artistically and now feel connected to a community of people who share my values as a filmmaker.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

​Zahida Pirani
,
2014 TWN Production Workshop​ Graduate

“I always felt supported by the facilitators Chrystian Rodriguez, Danny Kim and JT Takagi. They helped me develop my proposal further and taught me the technical aspects to bring it to life.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Francheska Alcantara
,
2016 TWN Production Workshop Graduate and independent artist/media maker

“The strength and value of TWN’s production program continues to impact other filmmakers like me, in finding community, mentorship, resources, and education in filmmaking.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Corinne Cueva
,
Filmmaker & Program Coordinator of Camp Reel Stories

“I made lifelong collaborators and found a rich filmmaking community through the fellowship cohort. I am so grateful for my experience with TWN for helping me find my creative voice and a BIPOC queer filmmaking community.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Vi Tuong Bui
,
2022 TWN Production Workshop Graduate and Director of Thời Thơ Ấu (Childhood)

“It was refreshing and inspiring to be around other value-driven, community-oriented, and social-justice-oriented filmmakers.”

When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Phoenix Ra
,
2023 TWN Production Workshop Graduate