NEWS
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Thanks to the 68 people who helped me raise $6,000 in one week for my next short. Learn more at GoFundMe!
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We got a grant!! Thank you to the Regional Arts and Culture Council for awarding me a project grant for my next short! Congrats to all the other awardees and congrats to our community for having this precious resource on hand!
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SELECTED Work
Sista in the Brotherhood / 2016
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DIRECTOR, CO-WRITER
Sista in the Brotherhood is a twenty minute short film about a black apprentice carpenter who experiences discrimination on the job and must between taking a stand or keeping her job. The film stars Sidony O'Neal and was produced by Roberta Hunte. After winning multiple awards around the country, Sista continues to be used as a teaching tool within the construction industry with several screenings planned through 2018 including in Australia, the Philippines, Portland, Chicago and New York. The film was recently purchased by the US Department of Labor Women's Bureau to use in their work. Dawn is a journey-level carpenter and has travelled around the country speaking with the film. AWARDS Best Short Film · Portland International Film Festival (2016) Best Oregon Short Film · Portland Int'l Film Festival (2016) Best Narrative Short Film · Workers Unite Film Festival (2016) Best Short Film · Local Sightings Film Festival (2016) Spirit Award · Reel Sisters Film Festival (2016) Best Short Film · International Black Film Festival (2016) Best Actress · International Black Film Festival (2016) Best Short Film · Winter Film Awards (2017) Best of Fest · Black Women Film Festival (2017) Best in Show · Chicago Feminist Film Festival (2017) |
"Sista in the Brotherhood is what we need right now." - Winter Film Awards, NYC Director's statement and film press here.
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We Have Our Ways / 2018
DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
In a dystopic but recognizable America, street riots are common, tap water is undrinkable, and you’re lucky if you get health insurance. Regina (played by Sidony O'neal) usually keeps her head down to just get by, especially at work. As a customer service rep for Alleviate, she must reject health coverage for desperate callers all day in order to do her job. But when her younger cousin Abigail is in need of a criminalized medical procedure, she must decide what price she’s willing to pay for justice. The film also stars Paige Moreland and Ana del Rocío.
We Have Our Ways was written by Kjerstin Johnson, produced by Christian Henry and made possible by a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
In a dystopic but recognizable America, street riots are common, tap water is undrinkable, and you’re lucky if you get health insurance. Regina (played by Sidony O'neal) usually keeps her head down to just get by, especially at work. As a customer service rep for Alleviate, she must reject health coverage for desperate callers all day in order to do her job. But when her younger cousin Abigail is in need of a criminalized medical procedure, she must decide what price she’s willing to pay for justice. The film also stars Paige Moreland and Ana del Rocío.
We Have Our Ways was written by Kjerstin Johnson, produced by Christian Henry and made possible by a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
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Names one of Willamette Week's Favorite Portland Films of the Year. Our first screening sold out the Clinton Street Theater in December. The film won BEST OREGON SHORT at Portland Film International Film Festival, Oregon's largest and most prestigious film fest!
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Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! / 2018
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DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER/CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! is the pilot for a potential web series centered on a quirky, spunky, and idealistic Filipina that is struggling to do good in Portland, Oregon, the whitest city in America. She wants to change the world, but it’s not quite happening – yet. The show is from creator Luann Algoso. Luann and Dawn co-wrote the pilot. Dawn directed and shot it. Gabby Smashes premiered March 2018 with screenings in Portland, NYC, Seattle and LA. |
Graphic Means/ 2017
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DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/SOUND RECORDIST
In 2016, Dawn travelled with director Briar Levit to Germany, UK and around the US to shoot the feature documentary about the history of Graphic Design before design was digital. The film was sponsored by Adobe and has screened all around the world. Learn more here. |
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Upcoming Projects
- Dawn is currently developing her first feature film with co-writer Kjerstin Johnson. It's a follow up to the widely acclaimed short, Sista in the Brotherhood.
- Dawn will be shooting a new short film in Fall of 2018 about two women of color who go on a hike/first date.
- Dawn was selected to shadow acclaimed director Debra Granik during filming for the feature film Leave No Trace.
- Dawn served as DP on Shilpa Sunthankar's short film Working Lunch to be released in 2018.
- Dawn directed the short, Nemesis, written by lead Brenan Dwyer. It's an exploration of white male fragility as told through a single match of Scrabble and was awarded funding via the POST-TRUTH project created by Lower Boom and Open Signal.
Dawn with director Debra Granik on the set of Leave No Trace during the job shadow made possible by the 5to50 program.
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Directed by Women interviewed Dawn. Click on image to read. Photo from set of Sista in the Brotherhood.
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UPCOMING SCREENINGS (check individual film sites for most recent news)
November 10, 2018 Nemesis at Portland Comedy Festival
Details coming soon.
October 21, 2018 We Have Our Ways in Brooklyn, NY
Reel Sisters Film Festival in New York City. 1 pm at Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn! Dawn in attendance.
October 15, 2018 Sista in the Brotherhood in Seattle, WA
Women Building Nations international tradeswoman conference, practitioners institute panel
October 15, 2018 Sista in the Brotherhood in Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Community College with Dawn and producer, Dr. Roberta Hunte
September 29, 2018 We Have Our Ways at Local Sightings Film Festival in Seattle, WA
6 pm. Details here. Dawn in attendance.
September 15, 2018 We Have Our Ways in Richmond, VA
at Afrikana Film Festival. RESCHEDULED DUE TO FLORENCE
August 23 We Have Our Ways in Atlanta, GA
BronzeLens Festival! Producer in attendance.
August 16 We Have Our Ways in Portland, OR
special screening with Couch Film Collective at 7 pm.
August 5 We Have Our Ways in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Film Festival, 6 pm at Tobin Center
ADDITIONAL ARCHIVED SCREENINGS HERE.
Details coming soon.
October 21, 2018 We Have Our Ways in Brooklyn, NY
Reel Sisters Film Festival in New York City. 1 pm at Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn! Dawn in attendance.
October 15, 2018 Sista in the Brotherhood in Seattle, WA
Women Building Nations international tradeswoman conference, practitioners institute panel
October 15, 2018 Sista in the Brotherhood in Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Community College with Dawn and producer, Dr. Roberta Hunte
September 29, 2018 We Have Our Ways at Local Sightings Film Festival in Seattle, WA
6 pm. Details here. Dawn in attendance.
September 15, 2018 We Have Our Ways in Richmond, VA
at Afrikana Film Festival. RESCHEDULED DUE TO FLORENCE
August 23 We Have Our Ways in Atlanta, GA
BronzeLens Festival! Producer in attendance.
August 16 We Have Our Ways in Portland, OR
special screening with Couch Film Collective at 7 pm.
August 5 We Have Our Ways in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Film Festival, 6 pm at Tobin Center
ADDITIONAL ARCHIVED SCREENINGS HERE.
Dawn is also the owner of Hearts+Sparks Productions, offering community-minded video production.
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