izzy’s doc story bootcamp
2022 student film showcase
In Izzy’s Doc Story Bootcamp, students created their films from concept to final cut in only 8 weeks, the first film for many of them. In less than 5 minutes, each filmmaker will tell a story - exploring topics from parenting to street art to de-mining.
Each filmmaker who completed the 2022 Doc Story Bootcamp was celebrated for their hard work during a Virtual Film Festival in which the Grand Jury and Audience Awards were announced.
The Grand Jury Award, a unanimous choice by all judges, was presented to Learning to Love Rats. The Audience Award Winners were It All Starts At Home and Real Talk. Real Bond. - a tie!
In the spirit of what our Grand Jury judge Nicole McDonagh said during the festival, “congratulations to all of you for the courage to create something from nothing, and for sharing your voice and stories!"
Watch and enjoy these short films by the class of 2022 as we prepare to launch the next bootcamp this fall!
2022 Student FilmS
GRAND JUry award winner
Learning to Love Rats
Directed by Darcie DeAngelo
Watch former soldiers learn a new method of landmine detection with an animal normally thought of as a pest: a rat. A deminer not only learns a new work technique but also that they can love rats.
WHAT THE JUDGES HAD TO SAY
You tame one of man's most unloved pests and put them to work for good. What a story!!! - Ed Cotton
The goal of a great documentary film is to shine a light on topics that live in the shadows — that most of us never see. The best docu films make you lean in — physically and emotionally. There's a higher level of difficulty in taking a subject that has no inherent emotional connection or may even be repulsive to the majority of viewers and make it interesting, emotional, even charming — and to me, that was the magic of "Learning To Love Rats." I could have watched another 30 minutes. Always a good sign. - Nicole McDonagh
What I like about this film is the intimate and tender relationship this former soldier has with this creature. Rats are very often thought of as pests, unwanted beings. Using them to save human lives is unexpected and beautiful. - Rafael Rizuto
I was curious about the life of this rat's keeper. Her love for "her little sister" is so unlikely and, by extension, a delight to behold.- Ben Mangan
AUDIENCE PICK AWARD WINNERS
It All Starts At Home
Directed by Alvin Lumanlan
We are all on our own parenting journey, but we are not alone. How can we ensure a better world for our kids?
Real Talk. Real Bond.
Directed by Nina Tongco
Watch younger Gen Z’s talk about their thoughts, feelings and views towards social media.
Completed Films from Bootcamp Graduates
First 15
Directed by John Stalle
Los Olvidados - Survivors of Hurricane Maria
Directed by Harvey Castro
Back on the Road
Directed by Ariyonne Marshall
Watch the harrowing story of a man on his road to redemption. Dale wants to prove you can lose it all but still find the strength to reinvent yourself by helping others.
Save America
Directed by Weston Borg
Street Art In Paris
Directed by Judith Chan
Art or vandalism? Street art has faced critics due to its nature, but it has earned its place in the world. How so? What are the messages behind them? Can you see the beauty in them?
Muttville Seniors for Seniors
Directed by Anna Castleton
Grand Jury award judges
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Ed Cotton
STATEGIC CONSULTANT
Ed Cotton is a respected thought leader in the strategy and account planning world! In his 20+ years as Chief Strategy Officer at Butler, Shine & Stern (a widely-respected creative ad agency in Sausalito), he helped create iconic, award-winning campaigns for brands like MINI and Priceline. Ed founded the Influx brand for BSSP., one of the country's first marketing blogs that evolved into a strategy consulting unit.
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Nicole Michels McDonagh
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR/WRITER
Nicole Michels McDonagh was most recently Group Creative Director/Partner and a member of the leadership team at Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners (BSSP), the latest step in an agency and freelance career that’s stretched from Seattle to Seoul with stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York along the way. Nicole has won numerous awards for her work on brands ranging from Disney and Mercedes-Benz to Revlon and Amnesty International. I am in awe of Nicole's commitment and dedication to her creative work.
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rafael rizuto
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, DENTSU
Rafael Rizuto is Dentsu's Chief Creative Officer (US and Hispanic LATAM). Rafa is a multiple award-winning creative leader, working on powerhouse brands from AirBnB to Coca-Cola and Unicef. In addition to helming the creative department in many respected agencies, Rafa founded and ran his own agency for a few years–TBD in San Francisco..
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toni bell
STRATEGIST AND FILMMAKER
Toni Bell is a respected and prolific impact strategist, researcher, and producer in the documentary world. She worked on films such as Building the American Dream, Councilwoman, Through the Night, and And She Can Be Next. She has been a speaker, panelist, mentor, and juror at top documentary film festivals and labs such as NALIP, Dok Leipzig, HotDocs, IFPWeek, Outfest, Docs by the Sea, and the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. She works with Auburn Seminary's Hartley Media Impact Initiative and teaches impact producing at Saybrook University.
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Ben Mangan
HEAD OF ADVISORY SERVICES, ARABELLA ADVISORS
Ben Mangan is an innovative and compassionate thought leader who bridges the gap between nonprofits, investors, and business leadership. He is currently a professor at the prestigious Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, Managing Director at Arabella Advisors, and a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute.