Dawn Jones Redstone

Dawn Jones Redstone is an award-winning queer, Latinx writer/director whose films have screened around the country as well as internationally. Her work often features women and people of color and explores themes of emotionality, feminism and the internal machinations that help move us forward. She's the recipient of MRG Foundation’s Lilla Jewel Artist Award, was named Woman of Vision by Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce and has been awarded three grants from the Regional Arts and Culture Council to date. Her latest short Magnificent, about two women on a first date in the Gorge, premieres in early 2019. Before becoming a full time filmmaker, Dawn worked as a union carpenter and training manager at Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. for a combined total of 15 years. She resides with her wife and daughter in Portland, Oregon.

NEWS

Still from recent production of my next short film shot in early October. Sika Stanton, Assistant Camera. Me, directing. Liz Haan, Key Grip. Jasmine Karcey, Director of Photography. Photo by Jason Quigley.

I'm currently directing two broadcast commercials for Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. starring electrician Isis Harris and carpenter Eleni Vournas.

FACT:
my last name is "Jones Redstone."

SELECTED Work

Two women go on a first date in the Gorge. What could go wrong? The short film Magnificent is coming soon. Learn more here!

Sista in the Brotherhood / 2016

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

"The buzz is growing as @SistaShortFilm racks up awards for a compelling look into experiences of Oregon tradeswomen."
- Tweet from Governor Kate Brown of Oregon

PLAY TRAILER

Director's statement and film press here.

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.

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!

WATCH TRAILERS

Check out this article by the Willamette Week.
Follow the film on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! / 2018

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.
Winner of Best Narrative Short at Workers Unite Film Festival in NYC.

Graphic Means/ 2017

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.

Upcoming Projects

Dawn is currently developing her first feature film. It's a follow up to the widely acclaimed short, Sista in the Brotherhood.
Dawn next short tentatively titled Magnificent is currently in post production. Learn more here.
Dawn was selected to shadow acclaimed director Debra Granik during filming for the feature film Leave No Trace. Some of her Behind-The-Scenes camera work is also included on the DVD bonus material.
Dawn served as DP on Shilpa Sunthankar's short film Working Lunch which will have its premiered in New York 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. The film is nominated for Best Oregon Film at the Portland Comedy Film Festival!
Dawn has another other short currently in development for 2019! Stay tuned for more.

Directed by Women interviewed Dawn. Click on image to read. Photo from set of Sista in the Brotherhood.

UPCOMING SCREENINGS AND APPEARANCES

March 8, 2019 Sista in the Brotherhood
Screening and panel at PCC SE Community Hall Annex from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dawn Jones Redstone and Dr. Roberta Hunte in attendance.

February 11, 2019 Sista in the Brotherhood
Screening and Q and A with Director Dawn Jones Redstone at Kenton Library, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

December 12, 2018 Panel as part of NW Tracking's screening of works by Shilpa Sunthankar at NW Film Center

November 11, 2018 PANEL Funding Creative Work in Portland, OR
Siren Nation at 11 a.m. at McMenamins Kennedy School

November 10, 2018 Short Film Nemesis in Portland, OR
Portland Comedy Festival. Details coming soon. Dawn in attendance.

November 8-16, 2018 We Have Our Ways in North Dakota
North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival. Info coming.

October 28, 2018 We Have Our Ways in Portland, OR
8 p.m., Portland Film Festival, Info here. Dawn in attendance.

October 26, 2018 PANEL Moving Beyond "Women" Filmmakers in Portland, OR
Portland Film Festival Panel 4 p.m. at Custom Blocks

October 21, 2018 We Have Our Ways in Brooklyn, NY
Reel Sisters Film Festival 1 pm at Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn! Dawn in attendance.

October 15, 2018 Sista in the Brotherhood in Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Community College with Dawn and Dr. Roberta Hunte. Info here.

October 15, 2018 Sista in the Brotherhood in Seattle, WA
Women Building Nations international tradeswoman conference.

ADDITIONAL ARCHIVED SCREENINGS HERE.

Dawn with director Debra Granik on the set of Leave No Trace
during the job shadow made possible by the 5to50 program.

Contact

GET IN TOUCH. ASK A QUESTION OR JUST SAY HELLO.

Dawn is also the owner of Hearts+Sparks Productions, offering community-minded video production.