Creative production leader and video strategist with 10+ years of experience building stories that connect, scale, and perform. I translate complex ideas into clear, engaging video content for broad audiences, partnering with stakeholders to turn strategy into repeatable creative formats and high-performing deliverables. I lead end-to-end video production across studio, field, and remote workflows—directing teams, supervising post, and using data and accessibility standards (including ADA compliance) to continuously improve impact. I’m especially drawn to mission-driven work where clarity and responsibility shape public understanding at scale.

Sarah R. Lotfi

Creative production leader and video strategist with 10+ years of experience building stories that connect, scale, and perform. I translate complex ideas into clear, engaging video content for broad audiences, partnering with stakeholders to turn strategy into repeatable creative formats and high-performing deliverables. I lead end-to-end video production across studio, field, and remote workflows—directing teams, supervising post, and using data and accessibility standards (including ADA compliance) to continuously improve impact. I’m especially drawn to mission-driven work where clarity and responsibility shape public understanding at scale.

Available to hire

Creative production leader and video strategist with 10+ years of experience building stories that connect, scale, and perform. I translate complex ideas into clear, engaging video content for broad audiences, partnering with stakeholders to turn strategy into repeatable creative formats and high-performing deliverables.

I lead end-to-end video production across studio, field, and remote workflows—directing teams, supervising post, and using data and accessibility standards (including ADA compliance) to continuously improve impact. I’m especially drawn to mission-driven work where clarity and responsibility shape public understanding at scale.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Video Producer at Petersons
October 1, 2021 - August 1, 2026
Lead end-to-end video production and post-production for proprietary content across Petersons and sister brands, supporting large-scale digital learning and marketing initiatives. Direct and oversee production for 2,000+ titles from concept through delivery, balancing creative excellence with budgets and stakeholder needs. Manage and mentor a distributed team across the U.S. and Croatia, establishing workflows, creative standards, and QA. Oversee live action, motion graphics, 2D/3D animation, and VFX, ensuring pacing, sound, accessibility, and storytelling quality. Act as creative authority for scripts, animatics, editorial direction, contracts, and scopes of work. Partner with marketing to grow a YouTube channel from 1,000 to 5,600 subscribers. Designed, budgeted, and built two internal production studios to expand capabilities and reduce vendor reliance, and integrated AI tools for captioning and production efficiency while ensuring full ADA compliance.
Video Production Specialist at Petersons
March 1, 2021 - October 1, 2021
Video production specialist supporting proprietary video content for digital learning and marketing initiatives across Petersons and sister brands.
Video Producer at Dog and Rose Media
August 1, 2018 - March 1, 2021
Produced, directed, and edited branded and narrative video content for agency and independent clients. Led projects from concept through distribution for marketing, training, and social campaigns. Directed shoots and managed crews and vendors while maintaining client relationships across multiple simultaneous projects. Produced corporate films for clients including Guided by Humanity, Mer Cosmetics, Café Miriam, and Marczyk Fine Foods. Produced and directed historical period drama KNIGHT TO QUEEN, later localized and released in France as ‘La Reine Dépouillée’.
Video Production Specialist at CSU Global
August 1, 2017 - June 1, 2020
Creative lead for institutional marketing, executive communications, and live video programming. Directed and produced marketing and brand videos with university President and C-suite leadership. Produced and edited national broadcast TV spot MOVE FORWARD airing during the 2019 Super Bowl. Expanded livestream operations during COVID through vendor partnerships and compliant production models. Grew YouTube channel from 800 to 1,900 subscribers through content strategy and channel optimization. Established institutional video brand guidelines and creative standards.
Director of Development and Strategy at Cinevia Pictures
July 1, 2015 - August 1, 2017
Creative executive role bridging storytelling, production, and business development. Directed award-winning short film MENSCHEN, screening at 30+ festivals and securing a 10-year distribution deal with Shorts International. Led creative development, pitch decks, business plans, and talent packaging for narrative film projects. Negotiated contracts and managed vendor relations within AICP, AICE, SAG-AFTRA, and IATSE frameworks. Coordinated casting, development, and production on independent projects including collaboration with Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao (THE RIDER).

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Communication: Digital Filmmaking at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
January 11, 2030 - August 26, 2026
Bachelor of Arts, Communication: Digital Filmmaking (Cum Laude with Highest Distinction) at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
January 11, 2030 - August 26, 2026
Bachelor of Arts, Communication: Digital Filmmaking (Cum Laude with Highest Distinction) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016

Qualifications

Bronze Telly Award (Winner), Education & Training — Master The TM Firefighter Video Series
January 1, 2025 - August 26, 2026
Best Narrative Short — KNIGHT TO QUEEN (Rome World Cinema Fest)
January 1, 2023 - August 26, 2026
Honorable Mention — Emerging Filmmaker Award — KNIGHT TO QUEEN (Filmhaus Berlin)
January 1, 2024 - August 26, 2026
Honorable Mention — La Reine Dépouillée (Bordeaux Shorts Biennale)
January 1, 2024 - August 26, 2026
Finalist — Original Screenplay, Preemptive Measures (Sundance Writer’s Lab)
January 1, 2015 - August 26, 2026
Most Voted — Colorado Revealed: Worlds Within (Audience Awards)
January 1, 2016 - August 26, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Government, Professional Services