My Turn to Call ‘Action!’

After years working behind the scenes as a producer, what does it take to step into the director’s chair—especially as a Southern documentary filmmaker rooted in place, history, and community? This keynote explores the transition from supporting someone else’s vision to claiming your own voice, shaped by the cultural landscapes and lived experiences of the South. Passion may spark the journey, but it’s clarity of purpose and determination that carry it forward. For those called to create, lead, and tell stories grounded in truth, memory, and regional identity, this conversation speaks directly to you.