

About
Dawn Jones Redstone (she/her) is a queer, Mexican American writer/director based in Portland, Oregon, whose work is defined by emotional resonance, imaginative storytelling, and a commitment to centering women of color. Her debut feature film, Mother of Color—supported by a mix of institutions, arts organizations, private donors, and crowdfunding—is now streaming on major platforms and continues to resonate with audiences for its depth, and cultural relevance.
Her first short film Sista in the Brotherhood won numerous awards, was distributed by Collective Eye, purchased by the U.S. Department of Labor, and even tweeted about by Oregon’s Governor. Dawn’s films often explore resistance, emotion as spirituality, and the quiet, transformative power of reclaiming identity. Her films are rooted in cinema as an empathy machine, and she's seen how storytelling has the power to heal and connect, as much as educate and challenge.
Dawn is the founder of Hearts+Sparks Productions and also works as a Creative Director at the B-Corp video company Funnelbox. As a freelance director, she often works with organizations and brands committed to justice and representation, bringing a cinematic approach to mission-driven content. Her feature project Appliance of Science is a finalist for the Stowe Story Writer Labs, and her short film The Worm’s Embrace is currently in development as a proof of concept for a feature-length psychological drama. She also has a few other projects up her sleeve. :)
A speaker and educator, Dawn uses her hiring decisions to elevate underrepresented voices, helping to bring much-needed perspective to both the film industry and the world we live in. She serves as a mentor for Women in Film PDX and actively supports emerging artists from marginalized communities through mentorship and connection to the industry.
She lives in Portland, Oregon and continues to build a career that bridges bold artistic vision with community, equity, and heart.

AWARDS, RECOGNITION, COMMUNITY
Recognition: Selected to shadow Debra Granik on the set of Leave No Trace. Named a Woman of Vision by the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce and is the recipient of OMPA's Inspiration and Service Award for her work helping to bring equity to the state film incentives in the form of HB 3010.
Grant awards: Regional Arts and Culture Council (5x), Portland Art Museum, Seeding Justice, Oregon Futures Lab, Story Changes Culture, Prosper Portland. Nominee for the inaugural Lynn Shelton grant. And
Community: Member of Film Fatales, Women in Film, OMPA, and the Catalyst Film Collective. She's on the Board of Portland Panorama, and on the Advisory Council for Lesbian Culture Club.