Move Ya Body:
the Birth of House
premieres at the Sundance Film Festival ’25
As the craft of filmmaking has evolved throughout generations, the power of storytellers and subjects has often stayed in privileged hands. We believe diverse stories need to be told by diverse creatives, voices and talent.
We specialize in Documentary Films, Television, Streaming, Series, Specials, Animation, VR
Move Ya Body: the Birth of House premieres at Sundance 2025
Move Ya Body: the Birth of House is a feature documentary and a One Story Up production, directed by Elegance Bratton, produced by Chester Algernal, executive produced by Roger Ross Williams and Geoff Martz, and line produced by Kati Davenport Mascarenhas.
We’re so grateful to our partners at Impact Partners and LAMF and co-production partner Hidden Light. As the title suggests, this is the never-before-told real story of the birth of House Music in Chicago.
The film takes a unique lens into the evolution of House music from its roots in R&B to disco to house, as told through its pioneering music performers.
Join us in person from Jan 23–Feb 2 or watch online.
How to Build a Library
How to build a library premieres at Sundance 2025
It’s official! How to Build a Library, a Circle and Square and One Story Up production, will have its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, screening in the World Cinema Documentary Competition section.
Directed and produced by Maia LeKow and Christopher King and executive produced by Roger Ross Williams and Geoff Martz, How to Build a Library follows two bold, brave Nairobi women who decide to transform what used to be, until 1958, a whites-only library into a vibrant cultural hub.
Along the way, they navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya’s colonial past.
It all happens Jan 23–Feb 2!
Makayla’s Voice shortlisted for short-doc Oscar.
Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World, a moving new documentary short directed by Julio Palacio, is shortlisted for the documentary short film Oscar. The 23-minute doc so far won Best Documentary Short at Tribeca Festival, as well as the Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, and awards at Slamdance and the Atlanta Film Festival. It premiered on Netflix on December 11, 2024.
Roger Ross Williams is the Executive Producer for Makayla’s Voice.
Williams: “I am endlessly proud to be an executive producer of Makayla’s Voice. This is a powerful, human story about a young woman finding her own voice. It teaches us the invaluable gift of listening.”
Photo by Justin Jun Lee for The LA Times
The LA Times: “You’re about to hear a lot about Roger Ross Williams. He’s ready for his moment.”
“I’m so grateful to be in the position I am in this business, to be able to create series, documentary features, now scripted narrative features — to be able to do it all,” he says. “That’s a privilege, and I want to extend that privilege to everyone like me. I want them all to have the same opportunities that I have.”
Read Jen Yamato’s full article with photos by Justin Jun Lee at The LA Times
“Every film is personal.”
