Ayanna Dozier is a Brooklyn-based artist-writer working across film (both motion picture and still), performance, and installation. She recently completed her Ph.D. in the Department of Art History and Communication Studies at McGill University. Her films have screened at film festivals across the United States and the United Kingdom which includes; Prismatic Ground (2022), Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival (2021), Open City Docs (2020), and Aesthetica Film Festival where she was the recipient of Best Experimental in 2020 for her film Softer.
Her work has been exhibited at Microscope Gallery, The Shed, Westbeth Gallery, Evening Hours, Anthology Film Archives, and the Block Museum amongst other places. She is the author of The Velvet Rope as part of the 33 1/3 music series for Bloomsbury Academic Press. She was a 2018-2019 Helena Rubinstein Fellow in Critical Studies at the Whitney Independent Studies Program, a Joan Tisch Teaching Fellow at the Whitney Museum of American Art from 2017-2022, a 2022 Winter Workspace Resident at Wave Hill, and a filmmaker in residence at MONO NO AWARE from 2019-2020. She is currently working on a manuscript on the life and art of abstract film and visual artist, Camille Billops.
AYANNA DOZIER
SOFTER, 2020
Softer examines the demands of "softening" that are requested of Black women's bodies in society---from job prospects to romantic ones---be that in their voice, their manners, and, critically, their hair. The experimental short plays upon the grooming rituals of softening that are terrifyingly rough through a recreation of a permanent wave machine produced perm (popular in the 1930s-1950s). The short mediates on the historical ways in which Black women have tried to answer this demand on softness through respectable appearance and behavior.
Softer, but strong in its critique of society, vivid imagery and music. The male voice over in this film is a harsh reminder of how men have always assumed authority in relaying women’s beauty to an audience.
CHRISTELLE DE CASTRO
Christelle de Castro is a commercial director, photographer & fine artist based in New York City. She is known for her iconic images of musicians, artists, and muses. Her photographs are uniquely raw & intimate, while her films lean toward themes of empowerment & community.
In 2020, Christelle co-founded film production company Ground Work, specializing in music videos & brand films, with offices in London, Bristol & New York. She heads up the NYC headquarters located in Bushwick. Clients of de Castro include Nike, Supreme, Calvin Klein, Coach, Samsung, Olay, and many more. She is currently working on a new portrait series centered on friends called Slam Book, which can be discovered on her Instagram @christelle_studio.
JUST SAY, 2022
Just Say is a music video directed & produced by de Castro for her best friends, twin musicians; Coco & Breezy. It is a dance-centered film particularly honoring the genre of house. It is a window into Christelle's world, one that is eclectic, soulful, and celebrates the spectrum. This film was self funded by Christelle & the artists and made possible with the contribution of friends, both in front of the camera and behind the lens.
The video is fresh out of the editing studio and it puts us in a good mood while acknowledging the people directly involved with creating cultures that play a large role in defining the American Girl globally. Usually such artists are often not credited for their work and influences. It’s so exciting to see folx producing their own work and for their people before someone takes it away from them.
CHRISTINE YUAN
Born in Los Angeles, CA, Christine Yuan is an Emmy-award winning Taiwanese-American director. Known for her bold and playful style, and with an instinct for authentic performances that depict organic facets of youth culture and the female experience, she creates worlds that capture the imaginative quality of the human experience. Yuan worked previously as a creative director for 88rising and has created visuals for Joji, Rich Brian, Summer Walker, GoldLink, to name a few. Her feature documentaries have won Best Culture/History Documentary at the 2018 LA Area Emmy, Best Documentary at the 2018 Golden Mike Awards, and Best Feature Documentary at the 2017 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. Her commercial work has been shortlisted for D&AD’s Next Director Award, 1.4 Awards Show, Young Guns 15 Awards, and Shoot’s Director’s Showcase. Commercial credits include Prada, Apple, Mercedes-Benz, Reebok, Zara, and Tiffany & Co, and more.
HOYEON AS THE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF MYSTERY, 2022
This film was commissioned by Vogue for their cover star Hoyeon Jung. The film was written and directed by Christine Yuan.
This film might be about the playful and charismatic Hoyeon but it is also about Hollywood and America. Hoyeon, a Korean who rose to fame through her role in Squid Game, is now an international woman of mystery. The title really makes us question, what defines one as International? Is International just another name for ‘American’, without taking away another's cultural identity. The questions are endless which is why we are presenting the range of videos to keep this conversation going!
KASEY ELISE WALKER
HOOP DREAMS, 2021
The short film explores the vibrant colors of South LA through the eyes of Savannah Walker, an 8 year-old, African American girl who idolizes her mother’s resilient strength and mystical, golden hoop earrings. Walker's fear of speaking publicly in poetry class leads her to steal her mother's hoops with a belief that they'll help her overcome anything. Ultimately, her mother’s golden hoops transport her into a world beyond her greatest imagination.
KILO KISH
DEATH FANTASY — this song serves as the American Gurl album “manifesto”
It’s asking who we are beyond definitions, and beyond who we appear to be to ourselves, and others. I’ve struggled with this for a long time as I haven’t always fit neatly in any space so this song is actually a declaration of freedom in many ways.
KITTY CA$H
KITTY’S WORLD: GETTING TO THE MONEY, 2021
“Getting To The Money” by Kitty Ca$h invites viewers into the artist's mental landscape; through the 3D character, Kitty has an open discourse on achieving the American Dream through financial literacy and hip hop culture. This episode features live action guests featuring Aleali May, Amber Khan, ModernBlkGirl, and Beverly Beal.
LEILA JARMAN
THIS IS MARAWA, 2021
SARAH NICOLE FRANÇOIS
iGURL, 2021