Nicholle La Vann, BA Media Study ‘03

Advocacy Filmmaker
Director/Producer at Filmstress Filmz

Nicholle La Vann is an award-winning filmmaker with a M.F.A. from The City University of New York and a BA from University of Buffalo. La Vann's film "Homicidez" packed over a 300 audience in Rochester, N.Y. March 2009. The film excited Rochester City Mayor, Robert Duffy giving La Vann a proclamation and make May 29th, "Nicholle La Vann Day" for her service to the families of the murdered victims by giving them a voice through her film. La Vann’s documentary short “110 Morningside” & “A Tribute to Abiodun” were screened at the legendary National Black Theatre and The Maysles Institute.

While at UB, La Vann completed her film "25 Years 2 Freedom" The Betty Tyson Story about a woman who served 25 years for a murder she didn't commit. Tyson was New York State's first woman to be released over 25 years allowing DNA to clear her.

As an artist of visual culture, Nicholle is interested in the intersection between the digital environment and media social issues. Visual expression is a potent site where negative stereotypes can be subverted seductively, as an activist she is concerned that the voice of underrepresented people can be heard and seen beyond narrow representations in today's popular culture.

Since 1999, Nicholle has been shooting and editing shorts with a unique style which is seen in her clients commercials, music videos and video shorts. Her clients range from The National Harlem Jazz Museum in Harlem, Monroe Community College, Geva Theatre, Miss Sweet Potato Pie among many more. La Vann continues to give back through screenings by providing feedback discussions with audiences through her movement "Bringing Conscious Back".

Her newest documentary project "Rochesta!" highlights the case of Daniel Prude, the voices of activists, family of victims and concerned citizens that surround the injustices of the City of Rochester Police Department. 
http://nichollelavann.com