Hi, I’m Nicholas Sanderson, a filmmaker, video editor, and educator with a decade of experience working across the USA and Sierra Leone. I bring a broad set of skills in video editing, cinematography, motion graphics, media production, storytelling, and journalism, and I love turning complex ideas into engaging visuals with teams from diverse backgrounds. In my work, I’ve led education initiatives, managed large projects for clients like DW, BBC, Namati, and World Hope, and helped build sustainable media programs in cross-cultural settings. I’m passionate about mentoring, creating impactful media, and sharing knowledge through hands-on training and clear storytelling.…

Nicholas Sanderson

PRO

Hi, I’m Nicholas Sanderson, a filmmaker, video editor, and educator with a decade of experience working across the USA and Sierra Leone. I bring a broad set of skills in video editing, cinematography, motion graphics, media production, storytelling, and journalism, and I love turning complex ideas into engaging visuals with teams from diverse backgrounds. In my work, I’ve led education initiatives, managed large projects for clients like DW, BBC, Namati, and World Hope, and helped build sustainable media programs in cross-cultural settings. I’m passionate about mentoring, creating impactful media, and sharing knowledge through hands-on training and clear storytelling.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Nicholas Sanderson, a filmmaker, video editor, and educator with a decade of experience working across the USA and Sierra Leone. I bring a broad set of skills in video editing, cinematography, motion graphics, media production, storytelling, and journalism, and I love turning complex ideas into engaging visuals with teams from diverse backgrounds.

In my work, I’ve led education initiatives, managed large projects for clients like DW, BBC, Namati, and World Hope, and helped build sustainable media programs in cross-cultural settings. I’m passionate about mentoring, creating impactful media, and sharing knowledge through hands-on training and clear storytelling.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Head of Education Department, Filmmaker, Co-founder at Apex Multimedia
September 1, 2022 - July 1, 2025
Oversaw a team to draft the employee-owned company’s constitution, assisted with legal filings, developed and taught 15 courses in film and media education, and managed over 100 video projects for clients including UNDP and BBC.
Filmmaker at Freelance
February 1, 2014 - September 1, 2017
Started working as a freelance video creator while in university. I worked with many multi-million dollar companies like AT&T and Pepsi, to understand their communication needs, and deliver quality videos that sold not just their products, but idea. During this time I learned many things; to understand what a customer needed, even when they didn’t; to manage both collaborators and clients; to manage production flows; and to quickly learn and adapt new skills a project needed.
Teacher at Future View Media Center
August 1, 2022 - August 1, 2022
Volunteered as a film teacher, designed and taught 6 classes (each 9 weeks). Improved Krio and developed varied teaching methods to ensure student understanding.
Translation Project Manager / Assistant Editor at Mirabel Pictures
February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021
Managed 2 translator teams in Sierra Leone to translate dozens of hours of interviews for Emory University’s Ebola Oral Histories; organized tracking and delivery systems; created team structures; cleaned and quality controlled translations; translated Krio materials; organized files and deliveries. Also assisted on the documentary Heaven Through The Backdoor.
Co-founder / Filmmaker at LemonBucket Studios
January 1, 2017 - August 1, 2021
Four artists and I started a Co-op media production company. I operated at times as secretary and president for this co-op video production company. I handled and managed the business filings, finances and taxes. For the day-to-day I worked as an editor, videographer, animator, and on many projects as the project lead. During 2020’s covid pandemic I was tasked with retooling the company to shift into live streaming. I learned leadership, business management, and a whole lot of quick adaptation during this time
Freelance Filmmaker at Freelance
February 1, 2014 - January 1, 2017
Freelance video creator for clients including AT&T and Pepsi; developed skills in client relations, production workflows, and rapid skill adaptation.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema Studies at San Francisco State University
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2015

Qualifications

HIF: 2019 September Summit
September 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization
    paper Namati Photography class

    Namati wanted to help their workers and collaborators understand how to take better photos. This video was designed to be an intro to the language of photography. I operated as the producer, scriptwriter, videographer, editor, animation manager for a team of 3, and animator.

    paper HIF: Gala Video

    This video was created for the Housing Industry Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area to showcase some of their work for their yearly fundraising gala. I worked as a videographer and editor.

    paper Learnics

    This video was made as a series of 4 videos for the ed-tech company, Learnincs, to introduce their new education browser extension and platform. I both worked directly on the scripting, planning, producing, animation and editing, as well as oversaw a small team of former students to illustrate, animate, and edit these videos.

    paper DW: Land Rights in Sierra Leone

    I, and a team of 4, created this journalistic documentary for Deutsche Welle, in the remote Sierra Leonean island of Bonthe. I managed the logistics, along with producing, filming, drone filming, editing, and color correction. We dealt with challenges of the remote locations, no electricity or running water, and heavy rain during our shooting. Our planning and teamwork made this project a success.