About

Kristin Alexander is a freelance documentary filmmaker using video and photography to capture images and tell stories.  Her films use an ethnographic observational process to explore individual actions and social responses. The documentaries bring a balanced view of those who are often silent or marginalized. The environmental films investigate sustainable communities and practices.  The portraits share the lives of people who dedicate themselves to making positive change, transforming the world around them.  A bit like video activism.

Film Work:

Healing History is a short documentary following the work of performance poet, writer and educator, Mwalimu Melodye Micëre Van Putten, in USA and Bermuda. Van Putten challenges Europe centered histories by teaching African centered principles and values, utilizing various modalities to instill motivation, self-esteem and pride, including movement, music and poetry. Film scenes reveal her techniques with children and capture compelling discussions with adults while simultaneously highlighting the positive psychological benefits of an African centered education for a history in need of healing.

Trusting Rain is a short documentary about Bermuda’s centuries old method of water conservation. The story is conveyed through the eyes of Bermuda’s residents, and set against the natural beauty of the island. Trusting Rain, winner of Best Short Documentary at the Blue Ridge Film Festival, explores the special environmental relationship the island of Bermuda has with rainwater for everyday use. It played throughout the U.S., Trinidad, Bangalore and Bermuda. Filmmaker magazine called Trusting Rain visually entrancing.

Kristin’s work with ecological designer Dr. John Todd showcased at the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City for the National Design Triennial: Why Design Now? 2010-2011.

With a litany of short films to her name, Kristin’s work has received nationwide attention. Her 2009 film Green Eco-Machine screened in festivals from NYC to LA, and is currently being shown in college courses in the U.S.A and Brazil. The film portrays a natural method of water restoration. Green Eco-Machine garnered an award in Athens, Georgia for the ‘Most Creative Use of Cinema to Highlight Environmental Innovators.’

In addition to environmental themes, Kristin’s documentary work delves into the lives of individuals, revealing intimate portraits of their lives. Nothing without Joy follows 5 women surviving breast cancer on Cape Cod.  Portrait of a Master reveals the difficult life of an artist.  The short film 02543,  about a postmaster in a small town looking from the other side of the mail slot, received a director’s award in 2011 from the Woods Hole film festival. Another portrait My Name is Al was an official selection of the Reel Recovery Film Festival where it played in NYC at the Quad Cinema in 2012 and 2014.

She has collaborated on several documentaries, dramatic features and multi-media productions. As a young woman she was trained as a classical ballet dancer.  In addition to cinematography and editing skills, Kristin has a Masters Degree as Nurse Practitioner, worked for many years caring for patients and treating a wide variety of illness.  She was lucky enough to work in this field during an era when medicine was both a science and an art.  Her focus is now on the art of documentary storytelling.