The Filmmakers
SOPHIA KRUZ
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Sophia Kruz is an EMMY® Award-winning documentary filmmaker and TEDx speaker. Her work has been broadcast nationally and screened at film festivals and museums around the world.
Her film, LITTLE STONES, has been screened over 70 times globally, including at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and on capitol hill for members of congress. The film won Best Documentary at the Vail Film Festival, Best Foreign Documentary at the Female Eye Film Festival, Best of Festival at the Zonta Film Festival, Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival, the Humanitarian Award at DOCUTAH, and an Award of Excellence from Impact Docs.
Previously, Kruz produced Ride the Tiger, a nationally-broadcast PBS documentary about neuroscience and bipolar disorder. She also produced, directed, and edited the EMMY Award-winning film A Space For Music, A Seat For Everyone.
In 2015, Kruz co-founded Driftseed, a nonprofit which seeks to empower women and girls in the U.S. and around the world through the art of documentary storytelling. Kruz was the recipient of the 2015-2016 University of Michigan Center for the Education of Women Visiting Social Activist fellowship, and her documentary work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, Womanity Foundation, and many others.
MEENA SINGH
CINEMATOGRAPHER/CO-PRODUCER
Born in Chicago to an Indian father and an American mother, Meena's mixed cultural background has helped her bring a unique perspective to her work. Driven by her desire to bring affecting stories with social impact to the screen in a visually compelling way, she is a valuable asset and long-term collaborator with award-winning directors.
Meena can be seen in-action on Starz docu-series The Chair produced by Chris Moore (Good Will Hunting, American Pie). The show followed the filmmakers during the production of feature film HOLLIDAYSBURG, for which Meena was the Director of Photography. Meena studied cinematography at Columbia College Chicago and shot her first two feature films before the age of 21. Following her early success, she relocated to Los Angeles to attend the prestigious American Film Institute. Her work has received numerous awards and critical acclaim, and has screened at film festivals around the world. Meena is a member of the International Cinematographer’s Guild. She is a founding member of Driftseed.
KAROLIINA TUOVINEN - Editor
AMRITHA VAZ - Composer
ANKITA SINGH - Driftseed Co-Founder