Empowering the World's Documentarians

Kelly J Dessoye

(She/Her)

Video Journalist/Documentary Filmmaker

Wilkes-Barre, PA US

Available for Freelance

Open To Mentoring

Open To Virtual Coffee

About

Kelly Dessoye is an award winning documentary filmmaker and video journalist with over 12 years of experience. With a belief that video is the best way to give stories the dignity and nuance they deserve, she leverages technical skills gleaned from years as a cinematographer and editor in the advertising world with an insatiable curiosity and desire to amplify stories that are pushed to the wayside.

Featured Work

It's More Than Hair

In the Black community hair is linked to more than personal style - it’s identity. “It’s More Than Hair” is a celebration of Black hair and how acceptance of hairstyles historically linked to Black culture can foster community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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How Drag Has Driven Acceptance and Inclusion for NEPA’s LGBTQ Community

As recently as 10 years ago, drag in Northeastern PA - or NEPA - was still underground and performers created a chosen drag family to lean on for support, expression, and safety - a necessity in an area that wasn’t all that safe for a queer person. As drag has gained popularity and visibility on an international scale it’s become a tool for members of the LGBTQ community - like queer educator and drag performer Jacob Kelley - to raise awareness and educate individuals about queer culture which has ushered in an era of acceptance and inclusion in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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Amber & Jim

Since transitioning from active duty to veteran status, Amber Viola and Jim McLain have each taken up leadership positions at American Legion Post 274 and are using their respective platforms to build an inclusive community of veterans - shifting the mental health conversation from one of shame and secrecy to one of communal support.

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The Institutions Preserving Black History in Northeastern PA

Northeastern Pennsylvania is predominantly white and apt to only celebrate Eurocentric heritage. This documentary follows two institutions seeking to preserve and amplify the history and contributions of the Black residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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