This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended invitations to 487 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to motion pictures. And I’m so excited and honored to announce I have been invited to join the Academy's Documentary Branch
As someone who has paved a non-traditional career path, living and working as a filmmaker in the U.S. South and Appalachia, I am excited to learn from others, and share the obstacles we face as filmmakers outside the tight-knit circles of our industry in New York City and Los Angeles. I look forward to supporting my colleagues as they make work that challenges our ideas — both creatively and ethically — of nonfiction art. Being part of The Academy at this exciting yet precarious time in our field is a huge honor and I look forward to discussions about our evolving role as nonfiction artists in society. As I continue down my path, I hope to lift up new artists and voices so that they also feel empowered to tell stories from their own communities.