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    RESIDENCE: Director-in-residence program in partnership with FREE THE WORK

    Image by: Pete Lee

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    RESIDENCE fosters unprecedented collaboration between today’s leading storytellers and brands. Designed to amplify and support historically underrepresented content creators by building meaningful connections with both the production and brand communities. The RESIDENCE program gives mid-career and emerging underrepresented talent new levels of exposure to the world’s biggest brands and brand storytelling opportunities, translating efforts into real work. As a launch partner, FREE THE WORK co-curated the inaugural class and crafted workshops and currently advises on future cohorts and partner programs.

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    Meet the Inaugural Class 2022

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    Christina is an award-winning Asian American director based in Los Angeles and New York.

    Christina Xing

    Director + Digitally Native, Human Storytelling

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    Pete is a Taiwanese-born filmmaker based in California with a background in social work. Loves kinetic storytelling. Loves unlikely heroes. Loves dumplings.

    Pete Lee

    Director, Photographer + Tabletop/ Product, Human Storytelling

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    Shaandiin Tome is a filmmaker based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She just won Best Short Doc at SXSW for Long Line of Ladies.

    Shaandiin Tome

    Director + Human Storytelling, Documentary

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    Lamont Lamar is a Philly bred, LA-based director, producer, and writer who aims to explore the real untold stories within queer and BIPOC communities through film.

    Lamont Lamar

    Director, Screenwriter + Advocacy

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    Taylor Garrett is a director that is seeking to tell narrative stories that are meaningful and impactful to those experiencing the story.

    Taylor Garrett

    Director, DP + Human Storytelling

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    Aisha Schliessler is a writer and director living in Los Angeles, California. A third-generation filmmaker, life behind the camera is in her blood. She has worked across a wide range of projects including short films, music videos, and commercials.

    Aisha Schliessler

    Director, Screenwriter + Human Storytelling, Automotive

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    Latinx, Punk, Director/Writer/Producer, Ex-BuzzFeed, Comedy/Drama/Social Justice. Never Stop Creating.

    Christopher Guerrero

    Director, Writer + Comedy, Dialogue

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    Shadae Lamar Smith is an American-British filmmaker who combines movement with his own edgy style to create visual and beautiful work.

    Shadae Lamar Smith

    Director, Creative Director + Invisible

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    Queer non-binary filmmaker & comic book creator. Comedy, queer stuff, silly stuff. Narrative, genre, music, sports.

    Carly Usdin

    Director, Writer + Invisible

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    Kadri is an Estonian cinematographer/director sharing her time between Los Angeles, New York and Europe.

    Kadri Koop

    Director, DP + Human Storytelling, Documentary

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    Giraffe Studios Imagination Emporium, Los Angeles is an immersive, full-service , in-house studio run by directors and sisters Juliana and Nicky Giraffe.

    Giraffe Studios

    Director + Non-traditional

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    Madelaine Turner is a digitally native content creator and screenwriter.

    Madelaine Turner

    Director + Digitally Native, Social, TikTok, Influencer 500K

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    Program Partners

    Invisible Collective*

    Invisible Collective*

    Production Company + Mentor Partner

    Brand Storytelling

    Brand Storytelling

    Film Certificate Program

    Whitehouse Post

    Whitehouse Post

    Editing Company + Editorial Partner

    Carbon VFX

    Carbon VFX

    Finishing Partner

    Team People

    Team People

    Administrative Partner

    *FREE THE WORK partner

    2023 FREE THE WORK ®