Birdhouse
A tender coming-of-age story about rediscovering wonder, Birdhouse has screened in multiple cities and community spaces, inviting audiences to reconnect with the magic hiding in everyday life.
Written, Directed and Shot by Max Zampieri
Voicemails to My Future Self
Based on Javon Johnson’s viral 2013 spoken-word poem “cuz he’s black,” this short film brings his words to life as he grapples with a reality no child should inherit: teaching his young Black nephew how to survive interactions with police. A cinematic, urgent piece that confronts systemic racism head-on—where innocence, fear, and love collide.
Co-directed by Javon Johnson
Written, Co-directed and Shot by Max Zampieri
The Price of Excellence
A documentary short that examines the historic underfunding and unequal treatment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, The Price of Excellence places viewers inside the lived experiences of students, faculty, and advocates fighting for equity in higher education. Filmed on campus at North Carolina A&T State University, the film blends personal testimony and expert insight to reveal how funding disparities have shaped—and limited—the promise of these institutions, while also underscoring their resilience and ongoing contributions to American life. Directed with purpose and urgency, this film serves as both a tribute to HBCU legacies and a call to action for fair investment and institutional justice.
Directed by J.D. Jones
Creative directed by Max Zampieri.