Storyline Leadership

Featured

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Michael is an awarding-winning journalist, filmmaker, and artist. His work spans film, radio, theater, installation and photography. His most recent feature film, Homegrown, premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival in the Venice Critics Week section. It has won numerous awards including a 2026 duPont-Columbia Award, one of the most prestigious awards in broadcast journalism.

He directed the award-winning short film and photo exhibition Water Warriors (POV), a story about a community’s successful resistance to the oil and gas industry. It has since been rebroadcasted hundreds of times by PBS stations across the country, including annually in November. He also co-directed the participatory documentary Sandy Storyline (Jury Award winner at the Tribeca Film Festival), the site-specific performance Sanctuary (The Working Theater), and the PBS series Veterans Coming Home. Michael has directed, produced, and co-written original film, radio, and theater with numerous companies including The Foundry Theater, The Civilians, and the Peabody Award-winning StoryCorps on NPR. Michael’s photography has appeared in publications like The Village Voice, The New York Times, and Het Parool. He has been an artist-in-residence with Camargo Foundation, The Laundromat Project and the National Resource Defense Council. He is the recipient of an NBC News Studios Original Voices Fellowship, a Creative Capital Award, A Blade of Grass Artist Files Fellowship, and a New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Award.

RACHEL FALCONE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rachel is a documentary filmmaker and multimedia artist. She produced the short film and exhibition Water Warriors (POV), which won more than 10 awards and has screened at hundreds of festivals, schools and communities around the globe. Rachel co-directed the participatory web documentary and exhibition Sandy Storyline (winner of the Jury Award at the Tribeca Film Festival), the site-specific performance Sanctuary and the multi-platform project Housing is a Human Right. She has directed and produced dozens of short films for clients like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Earth Island Institute. Previously, Rachel produced content with the award-winning national oral history project StoryCorps and EarSay, Inc., and was an associate producer on Incite Picture’s Young Lakota (Independent Lens). She has taught oral history and storytelling in collaboration with institutions like the Museum of the City of New York and Parsons The New School for Design. Rachel is also a sound recordist for film and radio, including most recently Knock Down The House (Netflix) and To the End (Hulu).

Where We've Been Speaking

2026

+ Workshop Leader and Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A and “Understanding Conservatism Workshop”, The Action Lab New York, NY

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, New York, NY Roosevelt House Hunter College

+ Speaker– New York University class

2025

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs, CA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Violet Crown, Santa Fe, NM

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Salem Film Fest Salem, MA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Scribe Video Center, Philadelphia, PA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, New York Creative Time Headquarters

+ Workshop Leader–“Surveillance Party”: Security and Safety for Artists in These Times, New York Creative Time Headquarters

+ Keynote–“Understanding Conservatism” Workshop, New York Creative Time Headquarters

+ Workshop Leader, Race Forward/The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)

+ Moderator–22nd Century Conference, Atlanta, GA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, 22nd Century Conference, Atlanta, GA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Activists Mobilizing for Power–Western States Center Conference, Portland, OR

+ Keynote–Homegrown Screening + Discussion, PolicyLink, Sa Francisco, CA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Eastside Arts Alliance, San Francisco, CA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Filmfest DC Washington, DC

2024

+ Speaker–Earth Week Film Festival at San Francisco State University

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, 81st Venice International Film Festival, Venice Critics Week Competition Venice, Italy

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Camden International Film Festival Camden, Maine

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Filmfest Hamburg Hamburg, Germany

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Zurich Film Festival Zurich, Switzerland

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Hamptons International Film Festival East Hampton, NY

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, New/Next Film Festival Baltimore, MD

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Hawaiʻi International Film Festival Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Mill Valley Film Festival Mill Valley and Berkeley, CA

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF) Santa Fe, NM

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Montclair Film Festival Montclair, NJ

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Film Fesival Cologne Cologne, Germany

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Denver Film Fest Denver, CO

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival & Symposium Washington, DC

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, ZINEBI – Bilbao International Festival of Documentary and Short Film Bilbao, Spain

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Stockholm International Film Festival Stockholm, Sweden

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, DOC NYC New York, NY

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, Los Angeles 2220 Arts + Archives

+ Speaker–Homegrown Screening + Q&A, New York City DCTV's Firehouse Cinema

MORE..

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Cover of book light brown background with dark brown letters “we are many reflections on movement strategy from occupation to liberation

What We've Been Writing

The Nation, What’s Wrong With the Radical Critique of the People’s Climate March

Waging Nonviolence, The power of stories in the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Sandy

We Are Many: Reflections on Movement Strategy from Occupation to Liberation (Book Contributor)

Beyond the Choir, The Power of the People to Stand and Be Counted

Network of Ensemble Theaters and Animating Democracy, Reimagining Revitalization: Detroit

AWARDS

duPont-Columbia Award (2026)

Justice Matters Award (2025)

Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Award Nominee (2025)

The phoenix Prize (2024)

Mario Serandrei - Hotel Saturnia Award for Best Technical Contribution, Venice International Film Festival (2024)

Ekotopfilm Envirofilm, Prize of the Slovak Environmental Agency for Global Applicability, Slovakia (2018)

Green Film Network, Best International Environmental Documentary Short 2018

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, Eric Moe Award for Best Short on Sustainability (2018)

Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Best in Theme (2018)

One Nation Film Festival, Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Short Film (2018)

One Nation Film Festival, Jury Selection for Best Documentary Short Film (2018)

Blackstar Film Festival, Best Short Documentary (2017)

Austin Under-the-Stars, Best Documentary (2017)

Adventure Film Festival, Environmental Activism Award (2017)

Indigo Moon Film Festival, Juried Award for Documentary Short (2017)

Rockwood JustFilms Fellowship (2017)

Laundromat Project Soapbox Award (2014)

Tribeca Film Festival Inaugural Award for Transmedia (2013)

A Blade of Grass Artist Files Fellowship (2012)

Association of Independents in Radio New Voices Scholarship (2010 and 2011)

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Swing Space Residency (2010)

New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Award (2009)

PRESS COVERAGE

2026

Times Union - Albany filmmaker’s Jan. 6 doc ‘Homegrown’ premieres with new epilogue. By Rick Marshall JAN 28, 2026

Endeavors Radio - Podcast Episode 440 - Michael Premo; Corin Hardy JAN 28, 2026

Projection Booth Podcast iHeart Radio and YouTube - Audio Interview By Mike White JAN 22, 2026

Estrate Gizando (Portgual) - "Homegrown" mostra como indulto de Trump vindicou invasores do Capitólio. JAN 17, 2026

LUSA (Portugal) - AUDIO INTERVIEW (in english) Documentário mostra como indulto de Trump vindicou invasores do Capitólio. JAN 17, 2026

SAPO (Portugal) - "Homegrown" mostra como indulto de Trump vindicou invasores do Capitólio. By Lusa JAN 17, 2026

Qultur Vultur - Interview with Michael Premo JAN 14, 2026

The Breeze TV - Video Interview - By Alex Helisek JAN 13, 2026

Hye's Musings - Video Interview by Heidi M JAN 12, 2026

KGET - Round-up of new releases by Rick Bentley JAN 9, 2026

Just talking with Sam - Podcast by Sam McClain JAN 7, 2026

Queens Gazette - Interview with filmmaker Michael Premo, Director of Homegrown. By Nicollette Barsamian JAN 7, 2026

Alise Chaffens - Video Interview JAN 6, 2026

Big Blend Radio - YouTube - Video Interview - By Lisa D. Smith JAN 6, 2026

CNN - The political divide over January 6 is only deepening five years after the deadly US Capitol attack. By Annie Grayer, Marshall Cohen JAN 6, 2026

CinemAddicts - Video Interview - By Eric Holmes JAN 6, 2026

Deepest Dream - Michael Premo Talks Vérité Approach And Lessons Learned With ‘Homegrown’ Documentary. By Greg Strisavasdi JAN 6, 2026

She's All Over the Place - PODCAST & YouTube Version Hosted by KYRIAKI Katie Elizabeth Chonacas JAN 6, 2026

David's Guide - HOMEGROWN: Award-Winning Documentary to Premiere in North America By Katie Chonacas JAN 6, 2026

Raw Story - ‘Destined to repeat’: J6 documentary's stark warning as America tries to forget. By Jordan Green JAN 6, 2026

The Roundtable - VIDEO INTERVIEW by Robert Bannon JAN 6, 2026

The Moveable Fest - Michael Premo on Preventing an Overthrow of U.S. History in “Homegrown.” by Stephen Saito JAN 6, 2026

Music City Drive-In - Review by Matthew Fox JAN 6, 2026

Hollywood Reporter - His Film About the Proud Boys and Jan. 6 Hasn’t Yet Found a U.S. Home. So He’s Going Direct to Viewers. By Kate Kilkenny JAN 5, 2026

Big Gold Belt Media - Video Interview By Vanessa Young JAN 5, 2026

Alise Chaffins Substack - REVIEW - JAN 4, 2026

Cinekong - Notice JAN 4, 2026

SCREEN FISH - VIDEO INTERVIEW JAN 5, 2026

CineSaurus Rex - Michael Premo Unveils the Behind-the-Scenes Story of 'Homegrown.' By Killian Melloy JAN 3, 2026

Cinema File with Mike Kaspar - Audio interview JAN 2, 2026

San Antonio Current - Filmmaker Michael Premo’s doc Homegrown looks at America’s radical turn to the right. By Marcelo Garza JAN 2, 2026

Vents Magazine - INTERVIEW By Wade Wainio JAN 1, 2026

2025

Movie Reviews N' More Instagram @Moviereviewsnmore and TikTok - Video Interview by Brian Sebastian DEC 30, 2025

Much More Muchier with Pup Duffy & Keira Lane- Podcast - DEC 29, 2025

Eye For Film (SCOTLAND) - Homegrown Reviewed by: Jennie Kermode MAR 2, 2025

Letra Global (SPAIN) - Los apóstoles de Donald Tump. By Ramón de España JAN 28, 2025

Laura Flanders & Friends - Inside the MAGA Movement: What Happens Now? JAN 24, 2025

El Mundo (SPAIN) - Homegrown, the fascinating documentary that portrays 'Trumpism' from the inside: “In the 21st century, democracies die with a whimper.” / Homegrown, el fascinante documental que retrata el 'trumpismo' desde dentro: "En el siglo XXI, las democracias mueren con un gemido." By Luis Martínez JAN 19, 2025

All Things Considered - Four years after the Capitol riot, its meaning and legacy are still debated. By Odette Yousef JAN 6, 2025

2026

NPC Magazine (ITALY) - The best documentaries of 2024, according to us / I migliori documentari del 2024, secondo noi. By Carlo Pisani DEC 26, 2024

Filmmaker - “Stereotypes Help People Delegitimize Other People and Ideas They Want to Distance Themselves From”: Michael Premo on Homegrown. By Lauren Wissot DEC 6, 2024

FF GR (Greece) - Discussion about the American elections and screening of the documentary "Homegrown" by Michael Premo. NOV 7, 2024

ARD 1 (Germany) - phoenix Prize for Homegrown By phoenix (German News and Documentary broadcaster). OCT 25, 2024

Screen Daily - Stockholm Film Festival programme includes first TV section, ‘Men in Crisis’ focus, ‘Anora’, ‘Emilia Perez’, ‘Maria’. By Ben Dalton OCT 9, 2024

Filmmaker - "Proud Boys, Bears and BDSM: Camden International Film Festival 2024". By Steve Dollar OCT 7, 2024

Sundance Institute - The DFP Team Shares 18 Sundance-Supported Nonfiction Projects Not to Miss This Fall. By Jessica Herndon OCT 8, 2024

Film School Radio with Mike Kasper - Homegrown – Director Michael Premo. By Mike Kasper OCT 4, 2024

Democracy Now - “Homegrown”: Film Embeds with Proud Boys, Trump Supporters, Before, During & After Insurrection. By Amy Goodman SEP 20, 2024

EuroNews - Venice Film Festival 2024: Pedro Almodóvar wins 81st edition’s Golden Lion and Full Winner List. By David Mouriquand SEPT 7, 2024

The Washington Post - ‘Homegrown’ embeds with ‘dynamic’ Trump supporters as they plan Jan. 6. By Jada Yuan SEP 6, 2024

The Guardian - ‘January 6 was just the warm-up’: the film that tracks three Maga extremists storming the Capitol By Xan Brooks SEP 6, 2024

El País - 'From Nazi propaganda to the assault on the Capitol: Venice film festival looks for what unites the far right.’ By Tomasso Koch SEP 04, 2024

Alex Witt Reports MSNBC Interview with Michael Premo - ‘A wild day’: Film director recalls being at the January 6th riot after new documentary debut. By Alex Witt AUG 31, 2024

NPC Magazine (ITALY) - Venice 81: Homegrown, the portrait of Trumpian America. By Carlo Pisani AUG 31, 2024

Duel (ITALY) - In the black heart of America: Homegrown, by Michael Premo at the Venice 81 SIC. By David of George AUG 31, 2024

Screen Daily - ‘Homegrown’: Venice Review. By Tim Grierson AUG 30, 2024

Hollywood Reporter - ‘Homegrown’ Review: Documentary Embeds With Trump Supporters Ahead of Jan. 6, to Absorbing Effect. By Leslie Felperin AUG 30, 2024

Cinematografo (ITALY) - Venice 2024: Homegrown. The pro-Tump Patriots arrive at the SIC, in a report that remains halfway between the historical document and the instant-movie. Objectivity defuses prejudice, not worry. By Gianluca Arnone AUG 30, 2024

Sentieri Selvaggi (ITALY) - Homegrown, by Michael Premo. By Danielle D'Orsi AUG 30, 2024

The List - Ex Advisor Spills Trump Took His Apprentice One-Liner To Heart In Oval Office. By Lauren Waters AUG 27, 2024

Screen Daily- Venice 2024 preview: Screen’s guide to the Critics’ Week titles. By Screen Staff AUG 23, 2024

Quotidiano Nazionale(ITALY) - Criticism brings the most political cinema to Venice

ION Cinema - 2024 Venice Film Festival: Eric Lavallée’s Top 5 Most Anticipated! By Eric Lavallée JUL 31, 2024

Screen Daily - Trump supporter documentary ‘Homegrown’ acquired for sales ahead of Venice Critics’ Week launch (exclusive). By Adam Cole and Ben Dalton JUL 25, 2024

Cineuropa - Venice's 39th International Film Critics’ Week section welcomes a selection with strong chiaroscuro. By Camillo De Marco JUL 23, 2024

Variety - Venice Critics’ Week Unveils Lineup, Including ‘Homegrown’ Doc About Group of Donald Trump Supporters. By Nick Vivarelli JUL 22, 2024

Screen Daily - Venice Critics’ Week 2024 line-up includes UK feature ‘Paul & Paulette Take A Bath’, Trump doc ‘Homegrown.’ By Mona Tabbara JUL 22, 2024

The Hollywood Reporter - Venice Critics’ Week Unveils 2024 Lineup, Including Doc About Far-Right Donald Trump Activists. By Scott Roxborough JUL 22, 2024

MoviePlayer.it (ITALY)- Venice 2024: a documentary on the assault on the Capitol in Critics' Week. By Valentina D'Amico JUL 22, 2024

2019

The Guardian, Two short films focus on resistance, connection with land and water tonight at UPEI

The Hollywood Reporter, How 3 Documentary Shorts Rallied for Justice, Culture and the Environment

2018

WaterDocs, The Day I Held a Feather to Power: a Personal Account of Resistance to Fracking

WTOP, Environmental Film Festival hopes movies can heal Mother Nature

Variety, Environmental Film Festival Spotlights Front Lines of Eco-Activism

Rabble.ca, Dive into World Water Day with two films on the precious resource

Filmmaker Magazine, “Don’t Sell Out, Don’t Give Your Art to a Corporation”: Secrets of DIY Doc Distribution at DOC NYC PRO

No Film School, No Distributor? No Problem: How You Can Maximize Your Release via Self-Distribution

2017