About
My professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices and explores complex social, cultural, and human experiences. As a writer, director, and producer, I have spent more than twenty-five years creating documentaries, narrative films, and interdisciplinary media that challenge perspectives, foster dialogue, and bridge personal stories with broader questions of identity, memory, migration, faith, and belonging.
As the founder and Creative Director of Upper Room Image & Sound (URIS), an independent media production company, I have developed a body of work grounded in rigorous research, ethical storytelling, and critical inquiry. From the beginning, my work has been guided by a simple yet enduring question: how do we tell stories responsibly, especially those rooted in experiences different from our own? This inquiry continues to shape projects such as Stranger in My Own Skin, Ishaa Journals, and portraits of artists, thinkers, and cultural figures whose lives illuminate wider social and cultural conversations.
Collaboration remains central to my creative practice. I believe the most meaningful stories emerge through attentive listening, diverse perspectives, and genuine partnerships. Guided by the belief that storytelling is an act of presence, my work invites audiences not only to witness stories but to engage with them thoughtfully, ethically, and with a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
Education
With a strong academic foundation in the humanities, education, social sciences and fine arts, I have been fortunate to explore intersections of art, social justice, and cultural studies. My post-graduate education has equipped me not only with technical skills but also with a critical lens to understand the complexities of identity, power, and storytelling.
Academic CV
Inspiration
I draw inspiration from a wide range of sources – personal experiences, the resilience of families and caregivers, the intricacies of everyday life – I am also deeply influenced by the stories of people I meet along my travels – I am deeply moved by their trust in sharing stories that encapsulate struggles, triumphs, and moments of profound vulnerability.
Influences
Visionary masters of Cinema like Andrei Tarkovsky, Federico Fellini, Agnès Varda, Abbas Kiarostami, and Werner Herzog have profoundly inspired me, drawing me into the transformative world of filmmaking. Through their compelling storytelling and groundbreaking genres, they demonstrated the power of film to reimagine worlds, connect with humanity, and envision a more equitable and just society. During my time at film school (FTII), I was introduced to the works of Krzysztof Kieślowski and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
Their distinctive storytelling, blending realism with profound emotional depth, and their unflinching exploration of human concerns deeply resonate with me. Their approach continues to inspire me, shaping the creative vision I consciously strive to bring to my own work. Kieślowski’s The Double Life of Véronique and The Decalogue revealed an unparalleled intimacy and spiritual depth, as if each frame bore the weight of the filmmaker’s own soul.
Similarly, Fassbinder’s Ali: Fear Eats the Soul and Chinese Roulette captured the raw, unvarnished texture of lived experiences, delving into human vulnerability, alienation, and resilience.
Their ability to portray the minutiae of everyday existence touches the core of my being. Watching their films felt like peeking into the private lives of ordinary people – and by extension, the filmmakers themselves. It was as though they held up a mirror to their own inner worlds, allowing me to glimpse the fragility and beauty of human connections. This profound attention to the emotional truth of their characters continues to influence my own approach to autoethnographic storytelling.
Philosophy and Pedagogy
At the core of my creative philosophy lies a commitment to authenticity and empathy. I approach each project as an opportunity to explore the unspoken, the overlooked, and the deeply personal. My work is inspired by the belief that stories have the power to heal, connect, and ignite change. I strive to create films that are visually compelling, emotionally resonant, and grounded in truth. As an educator and mentor, my goal is to share my media expertise and lived experience to inspire and guide diverse learners in reaching their creative potential. In this catalytic role, I also aim to push my own artistic boundaries within a stimulating academic environment.
I believe this aligns with my reciprocal teaching-learning objective, which is both iterative and generative. Learning being a dynamic and evolving process, wherein reflection, feedback, and growth are continuously nurtured; for both myself and my students. It’s not a linear journey but a series of cycles marked by exploration, refinement, and progression, with each step building on the last.
In fostering a generative environment, I aim to ignite new ideas, perspectives, and approaches, cultivating a space that nurtures both individual development and collective innovation. This approach encourages collaboration and mutual empowerment, ensuring that transformative learning experiences are not just possible, but actively created.