5 Documentary Editors at the Intersection of Justice and Beyond

From high profile court cases to political battles, these documentary editors’ work centers risk-taking characters who fight for what they believe in. 

1. Stephanie Androu - United States vs. Reality Winner (2021) Dir. Sonia Kennebeck

Stephanie Androu has contributed to quite the exciting lineup of films recently, including assistant editing on Garrett Bradley’s highly acclaimed, Oscar Nominated film “TIME.”

She was an additional editor on “United States vs. Reality Winner,” a film that tells the story of an NSA whistleblower who was sentenced to 5 years in prison for exposing evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 election -- the longest sentence ever imposed in federal court for leaking government information to the media. The film had its world premiere at SXSW in 2021. 

Here’s a bonus scene from “United States vs. Reality Winner:”

2. Shilpa Kunnappillil - The Road to Sabrimala (in production)

Shilpa Kunnappillil’s work often intersects with controversial figures and cultural movements. She was an assistant editor on “The Vow,” an HBO doc series that tracks the rise of Keith Raniere’s NXIVM cult; and she’s editing “Ecstatic,” (Dir. Kerthy Fix) a film that follows a group of courageous leaders as they risk their reputations, professional licenses, and careers to become the nation's first licensed psychedelic psychotherapists. 

Shilpa is currently directing her first feature film “The Road to Sabrimala,” about a group of women who hope to make the pilgrimage to a sacred Hindu temple, despite a centuries old ban that prohibits women from entering. 

3. Ruella Rouf - Bei Bei (2019) Dir. Rose Rosenblatt, Marion Lipschutz

Ruella Rouf describes herself as having fallen into documentary editing “by accident” after working as a laboratory scientist for many years prior. Since transitioning into film, she’s worked on projects that examine race, immigration, and mental health.

She was both assistant editor and assistant producer on “Bei Bei,” a complex story of a Chinese immigrant who finds herself pregnant, isolated and struggling with mental health issues. She survives a suicide attempt, but her unborn child does not -- a high stakes legal case ensues.

See the trailer for “Bei Bei:”

4. Daniela Quiroz - Trans in Texas (2020) Prod. VICE Media

Daniela Quiroz’ work often highlights Latinx stories and voices. She’s currently editing a series with Carla Gutierrez (Pray Away, RBG) on a new HBO documentary about the commodification of latinos in the music industry.

While working with VICE for HBO, she edited “Trans in Texas,” a segment that looks at how trans folks are affected by the anti-trans legislation sweeping across the state in recent years. The piece opens with an interview with an especially brave little girl whose family fought for her right to use the girls bathroom at school. 

Watch the full episode of “Trans in Texas” on Youtube:

5. Jessica Lee Salas - The Loving Generation (2018) Dir. Lacey Schwartz Delgado, Mehret Mendefro

Jessica Lee Salas produced and edited news features for the PBS NewsHour for over five years before transitioning to working as a freelance editor on feature length documentaries. 

Jessica edited “The Loving Generation,” a documentary series for Topic that tells the story of race and identity in the U.S. post the landmark Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case legalizing interracial marriage. The series features personal reflections from Nikole Hannah-Jones, Soledad O’ Brien, Melissa Harris-Perry, among others.  

Watch all four parts of “The Loving Generation” on Youtube: