Isabel Soloaga
Film, Research, Photojournalism
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Film

Film

“Streets Raised Us. Horses Saved Us.”
— The Compton Cowboys
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Heart of Compton: Off the streets, On horses

This film shines a light on the life changing work of the Compton Cowboys and the Compton Jr. Equestrians — keeping kids off the streets and on horses while building family, resilience, and hope in the heart of LA.

Heart of Compton is now fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, Inc. This opens the door for bigger impact — more screenings, deeper outreach, and amplifying the voices of the next generation of riders. To support this project and the young riders whose stories inspire it, you can make your tax-deductible donation at www.tinyurl.com/heartofcompton

Heart of Compton is currently in the running for the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), whose programming team recently shared the following feedback:

“Compton Cowboys is a very inspirational film. Almost made me cry. To see those babies bonding with horses is beautiful. It’s a good look for Compton—it’s known for gangsta rap, now it will be given a new brilliant identity. I will recommend we screen it. Very moving. God bless them.”

 

SISTERS: Kabul to California

Published in collaboration with iDiaspora and Routed Magazine

SISTERS: Kabul to California is the latest chapter in a growing documentary project following Zahra and Masoma Mohammady—two Afghan sisters whose courage helped save their family during the 2021 evacuation of Kabul. At just nine and seven years old, Zahra and Masoma Mohammady stood before U.S. Marines at Kabul’s airport, clutching their little brother’s U.S. passport. Amid gunfire and the crush at the gates on 15 August 2021, their words became the lifeline that saved their family.

The journey of Masoma and Zahra sits within a global asylum system under threat. From Afghanistan to the U.S.–Mexico border to Europe’s externalized frontiers, governments are rolling back protections, suspending refugee admissions, and framing asylum as a threat rather than a legal and moral obligation. For Afghan families in particular, recent policy shifts have transformed survival into prolonged uncertainty—even after reaching supposed safety. This film gives voice to these stories from the perspective of two young girls caught in the middle of it.                                                         

🎬 Watch our film
📖 Read our story at Routed Magazine
🎧 Listen to our interviews on the FilmSessions Podcast & The International Migration Research Network Podcast 

Made possible with support from:
CNN | Film Independent | Bay Area Video Coalition.

If this story moves you, you can help carry it forward—by supporting the project's impact with a tax-deductible donation or by showing up for displaced families by volunteering in your community.

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“It is truly encouraging to see minority voices being highlighted within the Afghan diaspora. The Hazara people have a deeply complicated history within Afghanistan, and I find it especially interesting to observe how migration alters the dynamics among groups leaving the country, often leading to them joining together outside in unexpected ways.”

- Mehria Nessar, Their Story Is Our Story

From Short Film to Feature-Length Documentary

This project began with the award-winning 7-minute short documentary, Growing Up in America: Life After the Taliban, created in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. That short film emerged out of necessity—documenting a moment of global rupture and its deeply personal consequences.

The newly released 20-minute film, Sisters: Kabul to California, builds on that foundation, deepening the narrative and expanding the sisters’ voices, daily lives, and dreams.

Together, these films form part of a larger arc toward a forthcoming full-length documentary, currently in post-production. The feature will trace the tail of evacuation from 2021 to today —exploring belonging, legal precarity, family separation, and what it truly means to grow up after forced displacement.

The trailer featured here offers a glimpse into that full-length film.

About the Project

Growing Up in America: Life After the Taliban is informed by over a decade of humanitarian and emergency response work with Afghan refugees—from refugee camps across Europe to resettlement efforts along the California coast.

The project is co-directed by Najaf Ali Mohammady, whom I met at Fort Bliss, Texas while working with the International Rescue Committee shortly after his evacuation from Kabul. Our collaboration is rooted in shared authorship, trust, and a commitment to telling this story with—not about—the family at its center.

Follow us for updates @lifeaftertalib_doc.

 

Anwar: Critically Acclaimed Science Fiction

About a mother who chooses to live forever and a son who longs for heaven, by award-winning Director Fawaz Al-Matrouk, starring Kerry Bishé (Argo, Halt & Catch Fire) and Jay Abdo (Queen of the Desert). I served on set as an Assistant Director, BTS photographer, and Drone Operator, supporting production, scheduling, and aerial cinematography. I contributed to the film’s fundraising push by creating behind-the-scenes content, interviewing the cast and crew to craft a series of story-driven videos that captured the film’s heart and vision.

See my behind the scenes photography below.

 

SpiritHorse: Coming Home to Horses

After years lost to addiction, a former team roping champion finds redemption in the saddle—raising her grandkids and rebuilding her community through the healing power of horses.

Set against the rugged beauty of American Canyon, Northern California, this intimate short film explores family, community, and second chances. Through honesty and heart, it reveals how one woman’s fight for redemption inspires hope in everyone around her. Best Super Short Doc, Equus Film and Arts Festival 2025.

Donate to support Charlotte’s journey and learn more about her work at www.spirithorsebayarea.org