About the Project

I was really in love with this redemption story and the many ways Alma Backyard Farms creates positive experiences for all. My biggest concern was not to make a commercial asking for pity—I wanted to portray the people and the work with dignity. I was able to secure an independent study to focus entirely on this documentary. With one-on-one mentorship, I got personalized education from a professor who was passionate about documentary making and, more specifically, my concept. We watched many observational documentaries to understand how to portray characters without subjugating them to an audience gaze.

The Journey

I wanted to capture the quiet, everyday moments—hands in the soil, the rhythm of the work, the way people move through the space. The challenge was finding a visual language that honored the subjects without romanticizing or pitying them. This project taught me the ethics of documentary filmmaking in a way theory never could. I learned how to build trust with subjects, when to film and when to just observe, and how the camera's presence changes a space. It solidified my commitment to making documentaries that center dignity and agency.

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Roles:

Director, Director of Photography, Editor

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Andre Lendi www.growingproductions.com