Hello! I’m Jake Bellew, a documentary filmmaker and editor with an MFA from DocNomads. I studied across Portugal, Hungary, and Belgium and have built a practice that blends rigorous fieldwork with a personal storytelling voice, working with diverse teams to illuminate social and artistic issues. I’ve created educational and cultural content for organizations like the National Book Foundation, Lincoln Center Education, and BAAD, and I’ve collaborated with artists such as Esperanza Spalding. I enjoy roles across directing, editing, camera, and lighting, and I’m dedicated to making meaningful stories that empower communities.…

JAKE BELLEW

Hello! I’m Jake Bellew, a documentary filmmaker and editor with an MFA from DocNomads. I studied across Portugal, Hungary, and Belgium and have built a practice that blends rigorous fieldwork with a personal storytelling voice, working with diverse teams to illuminate social and artistic issues. I’ve created educational and cultural content for organizations like the National Book Foundation, Lincoln Center Education, and BAAD, and I’ve collaborated with artists such as Esperanza Spalding. I enjoy roles across directing, editing, camera, and lighting, and I’m dedicated to making meaningful stories that empower communities.…

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Jake Bellew, a documentary filmmaker and editor with an MFA from DocNomads. I studied across Portugal, Hungary, and Belgium and have built a practice that blends rigorous fieldwork with a personal storytelling voice, working with diverse teams to illuminate social and artistic issues.

I’ve created educational and cultural content for organizations like the National Book Foundation, Lincoln Center Education, and BAAD, and I’ve collaborated with artists such as Esperanza Spalding. I enjoy roles across directing, editing, camera, and lighting, and I’m dedicated to making meaningful stories that empower communities.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner

Work Experience

Workshop Leader at Parul University
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Designed and led a month-long workshop for film students; introduced documentary methodologies and practical filmmaking techniques; students created short documentaries and premiered them.
Educator at Sullivan County Summer Youth Employment Program
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Taught documentary filmmaking to underserved youth, guiding storytelling, editing, and technical camera skills.
Editor at National Book Foundation and Lincoln Center Education
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Produced and edited educational documentary content from national literary events to educational outreach programs.
Cameraperson at Dancing Camera LLC
December 31, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Specialized as a cameraperson capturing dance performance.
Videographer/Editor at Esperanza Spalding LLC
December 31, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Conceived and created social media video projects; recorded live music; collaborated with musicians, studios, and managers.
Videographer/Editor at Bronx Academy of Art and Dance
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Created a short documentary celebrating BAAD’s 20 years supporting LGBTQ, Black, Latinx and women artists and dancers.
Editor at Mix66 Productions - Mavericks
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Edited a 45 minute episode highlighting the lives of paradigm challenging women.
Cameraperson at Gender Justice Nevada
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Created a short documentary PSA highlighting transgender kids’ stories.
Videographer/Editor at Lincoln Center Education
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Created short documentary films highlighting guest artist residents.

Education

Masters in Documentary Filmmaking at LUCA
September 1, 2022 - May 1, 2024
BFA in Filmmaking at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
September 1, 2011 - June 1, 2015
MFA at DocNomads Joint Masters
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024
BFA at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2015
MFA at DocNomads Joint Masters
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Residency at The Weight of Mountains
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
BFA at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2015
16mm Filmmaking at University of Southern California
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2010

Qualifications

Adobe Premiere Pro
June 1, 2015 - June 10, 2025
16mm Filmmaking
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Artist Residency – The Weight of Mountains
November 1, 2017 - January 31, 2018

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services
    paper 20 Years of Being BAAD

    BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance is 20, and celebrating! Our 20th anniversary fundraiser gala will provide critical funding for BAAD!’s programming including our legendary festivals celebrating LGBTQ, Black, Latinx and women artists and dancers. Your support helps continue BAAD!’s groundbreaking work throughout the next year.