When Nick Hurndon was six years old, he and his two older brothers were set on fire by their white stepfather in their San Francisco home. Now in his early 40s, Nick is a retired Marine and is raising two sons that are about the same age he was when he was set ablaze. This film for The Guardian is about father figures, the effects of abuse and how one man is interrupting a cycle of violence so that his two children thrive.
This PSA for Gap Inc and the It Gets Better project, explores the resilience of LGBTQ+ youth, offering hope and solidarity in the face of adversity. Through personal stories, it highlights the strength of self-acceptance and the message that life will get better, no matter the challenges faced.
For 53 years, John Kapellas enjoyed the bright sky of the western US but one day he started to burn, blister and break out in rashes whenever he was exposed to light. Now allergic to the entire spectrum of light, Kapellas has spent the last decade living in complete darkness. This film for The Guardian explores how one individual is finding light in a seemingly unending night.
As warming oceans trigger toxic algae blooms, native Alaskan tribes in Southeast Alaska fight back against the growing threat of shellfish poisoning by creating a self-run testing network. "Eyes on the Water" tells the inspiring story of how they are saving lives, protecting a vital cultural food source, and confronting the far-reaching effects of climate change.
Tomorrow will be a better day…
After attempting gay conversion therapy, two young Jordanians share the impact of the practice and subsequent suicide attempts as they battle to be accepted in a society that rejects their identity. This film for the BBC exposes the emotional and psychological cost of this harmful practice, while including the perspective of a doctor who controversially claims homosexuality can be "cured."
As the world halts during the pandemic, Swords to Plowshares continues its vital work, moving veterans into housing and offering critical support for mental health, addiction, and homelessness. With their dedicated staff on the front lines, they ensure that veterans have a safe place to shelter, even in the face of a global crisis.