In this extended interview, City of Trees and Meridian Hill Pictures artistic director Brandon Kramer speaks about the film's origins and the process of discovery the MHP team undertook to tell stories that authentically convey the experiences of their subjects. Originally posted on the Kartemquin Films Blog: "Director Brandon Kramer discusses City of Trees ahead of its Chicago Premiere at the KTQ Fall Festival Nov. 3" (October 2016).

Even after the movie ends, there’s always another strikingly beautiful moment of watching the credits roll for a film you helped bring to life. It always hits me when I see the names of all the people — participants, students, families, teaching artists, and other film advisors —  who traveled together on that challenging, yet amazing journey in creating the film.  As a media teaching artist and documentary filmmaker, I am reminded with every new project that documentary filmmaking is not easy; you have to let go of control, be a team player, and be ready to adapt to change at any moment during the process. It’s both stimulating and exhausting. But it’s always a joy to see my young students create. My phenomenal film students from Sitar Arts Center fully embraced those challenges last Spring and came out with a powerful and heartwarming film about the importance of community support in the face of struggle: IN THE PATH OF MY FATHER.

We were drawn to documentary filmmaking in large part due to our fascination with the way documentary can move people to understand each other — and the world — in new and unexpected ways.

This week we had the opportunity to speak with MHP mentor and collaborator, renowned director Katy Chevigny (E-Team, Election Day) about her experience as a co-director on the highly anticipated documentary series Hard Earned.

Last week we had the great pleasure of attending the remarkable Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. It was Lance and Lindsay’s first time at Full Frame, the second time for Brandon, and the fifth(!) for MHP advisory board member Angelica Das. Now that we’re back home in DC, we’ve had a little time to reflect on just how much Full Frame represented the ideal blend of all the best things you could ask from a film festival — incredible films, a beautiful town with all programs within walking distance, delicious barbecue, and most importantly — an unforgettable sense of community.