Our Team
Karen Hayes / Producer / Director
Producer/Director Karen Hayes holds an M.F.A. in Film and TV Production from UCLA. Her production company, Ubuntu Motion Pictures, is devoted to telling stories that spark dialog about and promote equity, justice and healing. In AFI's Directing Workshop for Women he wrote, produced, and directed the short film An Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl, based on the autobiography of abolitionist Harriet Jacobs. She was granted unique access to film Desmond Tutu internationally over a 15-year period and is completing the documentary feature, The Foolishness of God: A Forgiveness Journey with Desmond Tutu
Pamela Tom / Producer
Pamela Tom is a 5th-generation Chinese-American and Emmy award-winning filmmaker dedicated to creating thought-provoking stories that challenge and expand prevailing narratives of marginalized communities. Pam’s films have aired and streamed on PBS, the Criterion Channel, Amazon, and Showtime Networks and have screened in theaters and film festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Telluride, and New Directors/New Films at Lincoln Center. Her award-winning feature documentary, TYRUS, about Chinese American artist and Disney Legend, Tyrus Wong, premiered on PBS's American Masters series, and her film, Finding Home: A Foster Youth Story, won a 2019 Los Angeles Emmy and LA Press Club award. Pam received her MFA from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television and her BA from Brown University. She’s a member of the 1871 Los Angeles Chinese Massacre Memorial Steering Committee.
Steven Golliday / Editor
Editor Steven Golliday is an Emmy Award winning editor of films such as King in the Wilderness, Far From the Tree, Civil War (or Who Do We Think We Are), Voice of Freedom and The First Step. His films have screened at festivals around the world as well as on PBS and HBO. He says, “Cutting vérité films like Far From the Tree (DOC NYC 2017) and Civil War (or Who Do We Think We Are) honed my empathic approach to editing, as well as my abilities to provide structure to captured moments of everyday life, that in their lived forms can be incomprehensible, frightening, and sometimes unexpectedly beautiful. Within the documentary community and industry, I am committed to revolutionizing the structures that have long failed to incorporate marginalized peoples in an equitable and meaningful way.”
Jerry Henry / Director of Photography
Jerry Henry is an LA-based Director/DP who received his MFA degree from UCLA's prestigious Production Program with an emphasis on Documentary and Cinematography. Jerry’s visual talents can be seen in the Oscar nominated documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop directed by Banksy, and Peabody Award winning documentary American Revolutionary by director Grace Lee. He lent his visual talents to help shoot the Grammy Award winning HBO doc series, The Defiant Ones, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Dre. and Jimmy Iovine. His recent work incudes the documentary/narrative hybrid adaptation of the Ta-Nehisi Coates book Between the World and Me for HBO Max, and High on the Hog for Netflix. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on the series The 1619 Project.
Tyshana Richard / Assistant Editor
Tyshana Richards, Assistant Editor, brings her extensive post-production experience and creative passion to our film. A graduate in Film & Television Production from Howard University, Tyshana has worked on high-profile projects like “Loki” and “Senior Year.” As a member of the Editors Guild of America and a peer mentor for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Tyshana’s editorial expertise and dedication to her craft shine through in her work.
Andrew Ross / Post Production Supervisor
Andrew Ross is currently a Post Production Coordinator with more than 5 years of Feature experience. Born in Philadelphia, Andrew moved out to Los Angeles in 2010 and is currently working at Marvel Studios. He has a passion for Writing and Producing. Alongside his wife, Grace, and his two dogs, Emma & Obi-Wan, Andrew spends his time watching movies and supporting Philadelphia sports teams.
Caitlin Parker is a historian focused on race, politics, and social movements in the 20th century United States. As a partner at History Studio, she has consulted on television, film, and podcast projects for A24, Paramount, BBC, and LAist. She took Reverend Lawson’s course in nonviolence as a graduate student at UCLA and contributed two chapters to Nonviolence and Social Movements: The Teachings of Rev. James M Lawson Jr., published by the UCLA Labor Center in 2016.
Caitlin Parker / Archival Producer
Isadora Rohr / Production Coordinator
Isadora Rohr, production coordinator at Lawson Film, brings a versatile and expansive skill set that goes beyond traditional roles, actively contributing to both the production and marketing spheres of the film-making process. Working collaboratively with the director, Isadora's impact resonates throughout the production and post-production phases, providing invaluable support to the entire film team. As Isadora continues to pursue her degree at Cal State LA, her academic insights further enrich her practical experiences in the film industry.
Yvonne Mwazo / Assistant to Director
Yvonne Mwazo is the Assistant to Director Karen Hayes. With a dynamic background as a Creative Director, Yvonne brings experience in crafting digital campaigns that enhance visibility and impact. Her passion for fashion shines through her portfolio, which includes styling for high-profile award shows like the Emmys, billboards, LAFW shows, music videos, reality television, and multiple magazine covers. Her strategic approach, attention to detail, ensures that every project is managed with precision and creativity.
Aaron Baggett / Associate Producer, Cinematographer, Assistant Editor
Aaron Baggett directorial debut, "Nuestra," earned accolades as Best Documentary at the Detour Festival 2021 and Best Hometowner Documentary at the 2021 Indie Memphis Film Festival. Notably, "Nuestra" was part of the official selection at Atlanta Docufest & Cannes Shorts. Aaron's extensive contributions to the film industry include serving as Director of Photography for award-winning projects like "The Picture Taker" and co-producing "The First Class," winner of the Audience Award at Indie Memphis Film Festival in 2023. He also showcased his editing skills in Alicia Ester's "Spirit of Memphis," which secured Best Hometowner Documentary at the 2023 Indie Memphis Film Festival. Currently, Aaron is directing the highly anticipated project "Shadow People," a seven-year endeavor exploring the lives of DACA recipients, scheduled for release in 2024.
Jesseca Ynez Simmons / Additional Editor
Jesseca Ynez Simmons is an accomplished filmmaker who employs a sensorial approach exploring ways for form to be an extension of content. Recurring themes in her work include music, social justice, the environment, gender, and female perspectives. Her achievements include the Director’s Award for Artistic Merit from the Santa Cruz Film Festival for her documentary, I CAN ONLY BE MARY LANE, and recognition from the American Society of Cinematographers for her work on EMERALD ICE, a short 'docufantasy' exploring the life of American Poet Diane Wakoski.
She is the Founder of the Dayton Independent Film Festival and served as its Director from 2019 to 2022. She is currently finishing her feature debut MEDUSA, which explores this liminal figure in a modern context.