Breakwater Studios

Breakwater Studios ✨ Because Life Is Short ✨
A two-time Academy Award®-winning filmmaking company and a world leader in humanist short-form documentaries.

Breakwater Studios is a two-time Academy Award® winning filmmaking company dedicated to championing short documentaries and the works they inspire. Breakwater Studios’ work has been recognized by the Sundance Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW, Critics Choice Documentary Awards, Emmy Awards, James Beard Foundation Awards, and the Peabody Awards, among many others.

Out now. DESERT HOTSPOT. Alejandra Franco’s story traces her path from an immigrant daughter without access to Wi-Fi to ...
12/09/2025

Out now. DESERT HOTSPOT. Alejandra Franco’s story traces her path from an immigrant daughter without access to Wi-Fi to earning a PhD in Hispanic Studies with an emphasis on the digital divide in America—a true portrait of resilience directed by the incredibly talented Fritz Bitsoie. Congrats to the entire filmmaking team. We can’t wait for you to see this one!

FEATURING
Dr. Alejandra Franco
DIRECTED BY

PRODUCED BY

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS


EDITED BY


CINEMATOGRAPHER

SUPERVISING SOUND & RE-RECORDING MIXER Sean Higgins
COLOR BY

ORIGINAL SCORE BY
Garth Neustadter

12/02/2025

At Breakwater, the people and communities at the heart of our stories inspire everything we do. This , ”if you have—” consider giving back to those who need it most.

IF YOU HAVE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF UNICEF (2022)

FEATURING
Kul Gautam
Agop Gayayan
Florence Nettey
Dimitrios Siovas
Cornelius Williams
Priscilla Wobil
DIRECTED BY

EDITED BY

PRODUCED BY



EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY
Orlando Bloom
Sophia Carson

CINEMATOGRAPHY

COMPOSER
Garth Neustadter
SOUND SUPERVISOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER
Sean Higgins
COLORIST

POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR 89

11/29/2025

As Ohio State closes out the regular season, storyteller Clarence Kaiser and his fellow founders of the Midwest Youth Classic remind us that football is more than a game—it’s a lifeline. THE NAPKIN PLAYBOOK, now on YouTube, reveals how one coach turned his love of football into life-changing impact. When you love something, you find ways to do more.

FEATURING
Clarence Kaiser
Andre Young
Mike West
Yolanda Hopson
Mike Bickley
David Jenkins
DIRECTED BY

PRODUCED BY

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS


EDITED BY


CINEMATOGRAPHER


SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER
Sean Higgins
COLOR BY

ORIGINAL SCORE BYrichardson
POST PRODUCTION PRODUCER


11/27/2025

Hoping your Thanksgiving is “piled high with good conversation,” and time with loved ones. | THE BEST CHEF (2022)

College football season is in full swing! In Akron, football isn’t just a game—it’s a community built on coaches mentori...
11/23/2025

College football season is in full swing! In Akron, football isn’t just a game—it’s a community built on coaches mentoring young athletes. Storyteller and lifelong coach Clarence Kaiser was surely cheering for the Ohio State win yesterday. In the meantime, you can get inspired by watching THE NAPKIN PLAYBOOK, now live on YouTube.

FEATURING
Clarence Kaiser
Andre Young
Mike West
Yolanda Hopson
Mike Bickley
David Jenkins

DIRECTED BY


PRODUCED BY


EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS



EDITED BY



CINEMATOGRAPHER



SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER
Sean Higgins

COLOR BY


ORIGINAL SCORE BYrichardson

POST PRODUCTION PRODUCER

11/10/2025

Over the weekend we were thrilled to see the return of . As a part of their pogram they screened Breakwater classic THE BEAUTY PRESIDENT (2021) directed by Whitney Skauge and executive produced by in partnership with .

In times of uncertainty, we turn to stories that highlight our shared humanity. This one does so with humor, poignancy, and of course, beauty. You watch the full film now, on YouTube.

THE BEAUTY PRESIDENT

FEATURING

DIRECTED & EDITED BY
Whitney Skauge
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

PRODUCED BY

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

ORIGINAL SCORE BY

RE-RECORDING MIXER & SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR
Sean Higgins
COLORIST

POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR89
POST PRODUCTION PRODUCERbbrooke
STORY PRODUCER

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Abby Lynn Kang Davis


Rishi Rajani

10/27/2025

Grateful to have shared DOC ALBANY with audiences at and this month. Each screening fuels the mission behind the film—shining a light on the urgent need for accessible, high-quality medical care in rural America.

10/16/2025

We’re thrilled to share the trailer for LOVE, CHINATOWN, premiering this week at the Boston Asian American Film Festival! More than just a love letter to a neighborhood, this film is a moving reminder of resilience, community, and what it truly means to be a good neighbor. We hope to see you at our two sold-out screenings this weekend!

More exciting news: following the premiere, in November, LOVE, CHINATOWN will be released on YouTube as part of GBH’s Local Lens series on Nov 13th. Whether you join us in person in Boston or online, don’t miss the chance to celebrate the stories that keep our communities alive.

Learn more at https://www.125lincolnboston.com/

09/16/2025
We’re proud to share that our new film LOVE, CHINATOWN directed by Lukas D**g will premiere on opening night at Boston A...
09/12/2025

We’re proud to share that our new film LOVE, CHINATOWN directed by Lukas D**g will premiere on opening night at Boston Asian American Film Festival this fall, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaking team, including storytellers Cynthia Yee and Gwen Liu. We couldn't be more excited to debut the film at BAAFF, a festival whose mission so deeply resonates with the story.

FEATURING Cynthia Yee & Gwen Liu
DIRECTED BY Lukas D**g
PRODUCED BY Rachel Greenwald & Nick Garnham Wright
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Ben Proudfoot & Kirstin Falk
EDITED BY Lukas D**g
CINEMATOGRAPHER Sam Davis
SOUND SUPERVISOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER Sean Higgins
COLOR BY Stephen Derluguian
ORIGINAL SCORE BY Katya Richardson

In 1966, Ghana’s film history was nearly erased. Thanks to Chris Hesse, those stories live again.The Eyes of Ghana filmm...
09/09/2025

In 1966, Ghana’s film history was nearly erased. Thanks to Chris Hesse, those stories live again.

The Eyes of Ghana filmmakers speak with about the making of the film and the journey to restore a nation’s cinematic legacy.

Full interview at the link in bio.

You can’t spell Lion without Ilon. THE FINAL COPY OF ILON SPECHT has been shortlisted for two coveted awards at the pres...
06/05/2025

You can’t spell Lion without Ilon.

THE FINAL COPY OF ILON SPECHT has been shortlisted for two coveted awards at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — Titanium and Glass: The Lion for Change.

We are incredibly proud of this film and our team here at Breakwater Studios. Huge congratulations to our partners at L'Oréal Paris, McCann Worldgroup and TRAVERSE32! Thank you for all the support.

Just a little over a week until !

Address

4655 Kingswell Avenue, CA 90027
Los Angeles, CA
90012

Telephone

+13235223870

Website

https://linkin.bio/breakwaterstudios2

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