I was called to film as a young child because of the way it made me feel deeply human. Film has a unique power to summon emotion and visualize the human experience in a way that connects us. I am especially interested in the ways film can subvert reality and am fascinated by projects that stretch the limits of imagination. For my senior thesis, I wrote, developed, and directed a deeply personal short film titled Angel of St. Charles. The film follows a teenage girl in New Orleans as she grapples with the loss of her uncle; through dreams and memory, she attempts to reach him, ultimately discovering that the St. Charles streetcar bridges the worlds of the living and the dead. Everyone involved, cast and crew alike, connected to the emotional core of the story: the belief that when someone dies, our relationship with them does not end, but transforms. We are left to discover new ways of being connected. Through vulnerable conversations, a profound sense of understanding and trust emerged among all collaborators. This project was an important affirmation of my calling to raw, personal, evocative filmmaking. I felt a deep sense of purpose. My goal is to write and direct films in which people can see themselves and their experiences. I want to tackle complex, nuanced themes of grief, love and memory. As a biracial woman entering the film industry, I am drawn to storytelling that centers marginalized voices and imagines new possibilities. I want to use film to unify, inspire and to help us regain and retain our collective humanity.