My favorite part of Southern Exposure was meeting so many amazing people. I had a lot of fun making my film and traveling to some of the many beautiful areas of Alabama. I love what Southern Exposure represents and was honored to be a part of it!
—Mindy Keeley, 2014 Fellow
Having the chance to explore Alabama's natural landscapes, the mentorship and peer-critique process within a diverse group of filmmakers, and the networking opportunities the process brought with it gave me such a positive experience with a group of peers whose friendship and work I truly value.
—Rhonda Chan Soo, 2013 Fellow
Southern Exposure was an amazing experience – learning about the pressures on the environment, being embraced by Alabama's community of environmental advocates, soaking in beautiful natural treasures, spending a summer with a talented group of filmmakers – I couldn't recommend it more.
—Emily Fraser, 2013 Fellow
They made it really easy for us to fall in love with Alabama, especially as first timers. I think they also made it really easy for us to become concerned about this beautiful place because they opened our eyes to a very diverse range of pressing environmental needs here.
—Liza Slutskaya, 2016 Fellow and 2018-19 Program Coordinator
My experience in Alabama in 2014 had a profound impact on me as a filmmaker, but more importantly I linked up with a great posse of friends and collaborators.
—Chris Jones, 2014 Fellow
Through the personalized mentorship and support provided throughout the fellowship, I truly grew as a filmmaker, producer and storyteller, and was able to explore the beauty of Alabama. The fellowship definitely provided the steppingstones to my current career path as a video producer.
—Kaitlin McMurry, 2018 Fellow
Run by an amazing group of experienced filmmakers & passionate advocates, it's impossible to leave this program without an impressive film for your portfolio and meaningful connections to those fighting for important issues across Alabama. I wish I could be a part of this fellowship every summer!
—Celine Francois, 2021 Fellow
I truly believe that Southern Exposure is a MUST for young, southern documentary filmmakers with interests in the realm of Social and Environmental Justice. Not often do you get an opportunity like this in the South, especially one of such value and importance.
—Jeb Brackner, 2019 Fellow
This opportunity allowed me to grow as a professional in the world of environmental filmmaking & gave me skills + insights on how I can use film & media to be a powerful advocate of the natural world. I gained a better appreciation for the culture, people & nature of the beautiful state of Alabama!
—David Diaz, 2018 Fellow
Natasha is a New York-based filmmaker currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Anthropology at New York University with a Certificate in Culture and Media. Her research interests are in the areas of migration, movement, and belonging. Natasha graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008, where she majored in Biology and South Asian Studies. Her award-winning documentary, “Cast in India,” world premiered at the Margaret Mead Film Festival and is currently screening on the festival circuit. Natasha is also a 2015 Flaherty Film Seminar Fellow.
Originally from Watsonville, California, Jesseca received a B.A. in Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2014. She is currently attending Northwestern’s M.F.A in Documentary Media program. Her films have screened at the Santa Cruz Film Festival, the California State Monterey Bay Film Festival, the Speechless Film Festival, the AUBG International Student Film Festival, and have been used as a tool by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District to promote tolerance and diversity among the high schools.
Drew is a third year student at the University of Central Florida and is currently working towards his B.F.A. in Film. A born and raised Floridian, some of Drew's interests include kayaking, snorkeling, and just about everything else water-related. Curious by nature, Drew is often inspired by the exploration of the unknown. His recent infatuation with documentary filmmaking has lead him to exercise his curiosity through this medium. Drew is also an avid film photographer, shooting and developing his own large format film.
Lauren is a rising senior studying Telecommunication and Film at the University of Alabama. She grew up in League City, Texas, and has a passion for international travel and communication, nature and visual art. Lauren hopes to work in the film and entertainment production industry, continuing to share voices and spread awareness about our world and the amazing people in it.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sami received her B.A. in Anthropology and Documentary from New York University. Since graduating from NYU in 2012, Sami has worked in New York as a youth educator and non-profit video creator. Additionally, she has worked as a post-production producer for an independent documentary and as a video specialist at NYU. Her short documentary, “More Than a Face in the Crowd,” has screened in festivals and universities nationally. Sami is currently working towards her M.F.A. in Documentary Film at Stanford University.