Baobab
Flowers
Directing & Production Team
Gabriela Watson [Director & Producer]
Gabriela Watson Aurazo, a Brazilian of Afro-Peruvian descent is a filmmaker and educator. She holds a BA in Communications and a MFA in Film and Media Arts from Temple University, in Philadelphia. Gabriela's background experience in Production of Broadcast TV Journalism and independent media focused on Afro-Brazilian culture, media and black identity. She directed Nosotros, Afroperuanos (We, Afro-Peruvians), the web series Afro-Trip and produced other documentaries. Read the full bio here.
Melissa Beatriz Skolnick [Creative Producer]
Documentary filmmaker and multimedia storyteller, who uses these platforms to bring awareness to social justice and human rights issues that are often ignored. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Delaware. Since 2010, she has been working with nonprofit and community based organizations throughout Philadelphia, while using various tools for community building and storytelling.
Renata Martins [Assistant Director]
Award-winning Brazilian Filmmaker, writer and director of the short film, Aquem das Nuvens, screened in more than ten countries and awarded at many festivals. Renata is one of the screenwriters of Pedro & Bianca, TV Series winner of the International Emmy Kids Awards 2013", Prix Jeunesse International, in 2014 and Iberoamericano, in 2013. Renata is also an Art-Educator and her productions are focused on Afro-Brazilian culture.
Ana Julia Travia [Producer Assistant & Sound Operator]
Filmmaker finishing her Bachelor degree at University of Sao Paulo – USP, in Brazil. She did an internship at Cinusp Paulo Emilio, and produced the short film Eu Só Queria Que Você Dissesse. Currently, Ana is working on the sound design of an animation project called Oceano and producing a documentary that is her final project. Ana Julia is also an Art-Educator.
Liliane Braga [Consultant]
Journalist and educator, for the past twelve years, she has been working on cultural and Audio-Visual productions. She is member of the African and Diaspora Cultural Studies Center (CECAFRO), at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, where she is a PhD candidate in the Social History program developing a research on counter-narratives to the Western episteme through Afro-Diasporic cinema.
Joyce Prado [Producer]
Holds a BA in Social Communication: Radio and TV by Centro Universitario Belas Artes in São Paulo and an specialization in Screenwriting by Senac. Joyce develops work in narrative film, documentary and advertising. She is one of the founders of Oxalá Productions. Her work includes: webseries Empoderadas (co-direction), short film Fábula de Vó Ita, 2015 (co-direction); short film Sol Timore AV (producer), Series Rua 9 (Writer) and Walls Between Us, 2014 (Writer and Producer).
Aiko Brown, Producer Assistant
Aiko Brown is an up and coming Producer/Director from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her BFA in Fine Arts from Rosemont College and exhibited her senior thesis through film and photography. She traveled to Spain, Paris, and studied filmmaking in London. Recently she's been working as a still photographer, producer/pa, and AC on local short films and intends to write and direct her own films in the near future.
Mark Kaercher, [Assistant Producer]
Celia Regina Batista [Assistant Producer]
Maria Giraldo [Research Assistant]
Aaron Jackson [Script & Research Assistant]
Dr. Doris Derby [Executive Producer]
Dr. Doris Derby is an activist, documentary photographer and retired adjunct associate professor of anthropology at the Georgia State University. She was active in the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, and her work discusses the themes of race and identity of African-Americans. Her photography has been exhibited throughout the United States. She Co-produced the film, Mississippi Inferno: Seeds of Revolt (part 1), Deeds of Defiance (part 2) which was produced by Thunk It Productions, Ltd. In association with Mentorn Media Smithsonian Channel and aired through the Smithsonian Channel. In June, 2016 the film received the 9th Annual Television Academy Honors. Doris Derby is also a Consulting Producer of a documentary film on the Free Southern Theater and Junebug Productions, being produced by Jason Foster. Her historical photos comprise an important component of the documentary film, work in progress, entitled, “Wednesdays in Mississippi”, under the direction of Producer Marlene Mc Curtis. Dr. Derby's historical photographs of the Head Start program in Mississippi are also featured in Baobab Flowers. Click here to read full bio.
Talicia Venancio, Producer Assistant
Talicia Venancio, founding partner at Novo Parafuso Productions. Technical advisory in Creating Wings Award. Graduated in Advertising by the Faculty UNIESP - Union of educational institutions of São Paulo she also posses technical training in audiovisual production by Criar Institute of TV, Film and New Media.
Pamella Aleixo, Producer Assistant
Pamella Aleixo, Director Assistant, Art Assistant and Audio-visual Producer. Graduated in Social Communication Radio, TV and Video by United Metropolitan Colleges - FMU, specialized in Art Direction by the International Academy of Cinema - AIC she also possess technical training in audio-visual production by Criar Institute of TV, Film and New Media.