rose.soloaga@gmail.com
isabelsoloaga.com
ISABEL ROSE SOLOAGA
MA, University of Sussex 2020
BA, University of California, Berkeley 2018
STATEMENT:
I am a documentary filmmaker, photographer and researcher dedicated to creating positive social impact with the communities I serve. With over a decade of professional experience in multimedia production, strategic communications and organizational leadership, I bring confidence and clarity to every challenge.
SKILLS:
Aerial Film and Photography: Licensed FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot
Adobe Creative Suite: Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign
CSS, HTML code and GIS
DaVinci Resolve Video Editor & Colorist
Film Direction, Production, Cinematography and Post Production
Graphic Design
Investigative Research
Data Journalism
Documentary and Event Photography
Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
Languages: Intermediate Italian, Elementary Spanish
EXPERIENCE
Filmmaker & Founder, Rose Media
May 2020 - PRESENT
Clients include: KTVU Fox 2 News, Bay Area Video Coalition, BuildOn, The Compton Cowboys, Connected Horse, Women in Aviation International, The International Rescue Committee
Research Fellow, University of Sussex School of Law
September 2021 - PRESENT
Research, workshop coordination and administration, Negotiating Queer Identities Following Forced Migration
Direct and produce films for University of Sussex Law School, including the Queer Judgements Project
Research Director, Mentia
September 2023 - PRESENT
Direct research for Mentia’s CalGrows project
Train and onboard 90+ care professionals and staff
Develop long-term implementation, research and evaluation of Mentia’s virtual-reality based training program
Lead multimedia production in support of Mentia’s mission to empower individuals living with dementia
Freelance Journalist
January 2020 - PRESENT
Published in a wide range of news channels, papers and online sources including but not limited to:
Fox2 News; The Sacramento Bee; Frontiers in Human Dynamics; The International Rescue Committee; The Video Consortium; Morgan Hill Life; Gilroy Life; Culture and Capitalism Blog, University of Sussex; The Channel Magazine; Migrant Voice — London; TPI News — Rome; Alzheimer’s Today; The Daily Californian
Consultant, Connected Horse
May 2022 - PRESENT
Design research to build the Barn Connection Program to support individuals living with dementia
Monitoring and evaluation of data including tracking trends and reporting data
Facilitate therapeutic workshops
Direct and produce film and photography projects to further Connected Horse’s mission
Lead Instructor & Producer, Bay Area Video Coalition
June 2022 - May 2023
Train youth in live film production, post production and distribution
Develop impactful curriculum; create powerful, supportive learning envirornments for students
Produce impactful short films to educate and inspire climate justice
Research Analyst, Freedom House
September 2021 - January 2022
Conduct research to determine how migration policies in host countries can mitigate instances of transnational repression: attempts by authoritarian states to silence or harass dissidents who have fled their origin country
Analyze policy, run interviews, data collection and reporting
SIV Cohort Assistant, Ft. Bliss, Texas
August 2021 - September 2021
Assist emergency evacuation of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and Humanitarian Parolees
Conduct screening interviews, determine cases and assess basic needs
Collect and analyze data on incoming arrivals
International Rescue Committee, Sacramento, California
Career Pathways Program
August 2020 - May 2021
Lead career and skill-building workshops for refugees
Teach interview skills, career planning, resume building to small groups and individuals
Write newsletters and articles sharing IRC's work
Sexual Orientation and Gender Based Claims of Asylum Research Group, University of Sussex — Research Placement
October 2019 - October 2020
Investigative research, including running original interviews, conference coordination and presenting research using geospatial mapping and collaborative research methods.
Washington Immigrant Defense Network— Communications Associate
December 2018 - June 2019
Wrote press releases, articles and informational materials
Designed and implement brand promotional materials, graphics and presentations
Event planning and fundraising
Watson Immigration Law, Seattle — Legal Assistant
November 2018 - PRESENT
Drafted legal documents
Designed promotional materials for social media, web and events
Migrant Voice, London — Reporting Intern
August 2016 - January 2017 ; July 2018 - October 2018
Conducted original research, news and blog writing
Led academic conferences and educational events
Completed Projects: Report on The Dublin Convention, Roads to Nowhere ; Conference at the University of Birmingham, Migrants Post Brexit: Finding our Voices ; Led Various Media Trainings with Migrants; Changing Lenses, a photography exhibition at The Guardian
Care 4 Calais, France — Humanitarian Volunteer, Filmmaker and Researcher
Oct.- Nov. 2016 - December 2023 (Ongoing as circumstances allow)
Forged relationships with members of vulnerable migrant populations, including refugees, children and the elderly
Taught English to non-native speakers in small groups in informal migrant camps and sanctuary centers
Distributed essential supplies to refugees in Calais, Dunkirk, Paris and Brussels
Recorded filmed interviews, took portraits and led photography workshops
TPI News, Rome, Italy — Multimedia and Photography Intern
January 2018 - May 2018
The Daily Cal Newspaper, Berkeley, California — Columnist
January 2017 - September 2017
Bay Nature Magazine — Reporting Intern
August 2015-May 2017
EDUCATION
University of Sussex, Falmer — M.A.
Migration and Global Development
Degree conferred with Distinction. September 2019 -January 2021
University of California, Berkeley — B.A.
History of Art major, Focus: “Art and Politics”
Journalism minor
August 2015 - May 2018, GPA 3.9
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2024 The Migration Conference: Transnational Press London, Mexico City, Panelist
2024 American University of Afghanistan, Guest Speaker
2024 Interview with The Video Consortium for The Reel Truth
2023 Interview with FilmSessions Podcast
2022 University of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Guest Speaker
2021 Council for European Studies Conference, Panelist on Family Migration in Europe
2020 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Claims of Asylum Conference, Panelist
2019 University of Verona Law School, Guest Lecture, Asylum and Detention
2019 Central European University Conference, Budapest, Migration, Exile and Diaspora in Historical Perspective
2019 UC Davis Radio, Guest Speaker on Immigration and Asylum
FILM FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2023 Best Humanitarian Short Film, San Francisco International Film Awards
2023 Best Social Justice, Rome International Short Festival
2023 Film For Change Award Winner, Youth Collective Awards at Lincoln Center, New York City
2023 Best Documentary Short, Portland New Alternative Voices
2023 Best First-Time Director, San Jose Independent Film Festival
2023 Official Selection, Geneva International Film Festival
2023 Can Serrat International Artist in Residence
2022 Bridges Fellow, Bay Area Video Coalition
2021 Film Independent + CNN, Original Documentary Series Fellow
2021 Serial Storytellers (Nonfiction) Development Program, Bay Area Video Coalition
2019 Best Paper Award, Central European University Conference, Budapest, Hungary: “Migration, Exile and Diaspora in Historical Perspective”
2019 Chancellor’s International Scholarship, University of Sussex
2019 Fulbright Award Finalist
2018 Departmental Citation for thesis research, History of Art, UC Berkeley