Residence | FREE THE WORK

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Jobs
Partners
Discover
Programs
Invoke
Resources
Donate

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

Image by: Pete Lee

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.

Meet the Inaugural Class 2022

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

Christina Xing

Director + Digitally Native, Human Storytelling

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christopher Guerrero

Director, Writer + Comedy, Dialogue

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

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

Carly Usdin

Director, Writer + Invisible

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

Kadri Koop

Director, DP + Human Storytelling, Documentary

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