Seeds of Hope
	Short Documentary, Produced and Directed by Sarah Hesterman. Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Winner, Environment Award, 2004 Media that Matters Film Festival. Winner, 2004 Telly Awards, Social Issue Category

Seeds of Hope explores four rural communities that are overcoming world hunger from within by producing their own food locally, in a healthy, environmentally sound way, with astounding effects on the health and morale of the people.

The four models highlighted in this video demonstrate the capacity of communities to find their own solutions. The purpose of the video is to present these successful models and methodologies that can then be applied and replicated in future projects and in other communities. It is also to demonstrate to policy decision-makers that a community-based approach to food security can be successful.

First World Hunger
First World Hunger: Feature Documentary. Produced and Directed by Sarah Hesterman. Currently in Development.

First World Hunger explores the connection between poverty, hunger and health in the United States through the eyes of the urban poor who struggle with food insecurity in their daily lives. The film will intertwine the stories of three different people. We will delve into their lives and communities to examine the roots of the issue and their personal experiences as they struggle with lack of access and affordability to healthy food. Ultimately we will see how their lives are changed by community initiatives that help to increase food security and lead them to healthier and more productive lives.

"Unsigned..."
	"Unsigned...": Feature Documentary. Produced and Directed by Sarah Hesterman. Currently in Post-Production.

“Unsigned…” is the story of hip-hop artist Voodo Fe and his group Dark Theory as they struggle to succeed in the music industry. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Voodo grew up poor with little emotional support from his parents. His life took a downward spiral after his mother’s death in 1996, and music is the only thing that kept him going. Voodo is haunted by the notion that he accomplished nothing during her lifetime and is driven by a desire to make her proud from up above. The documentary follows Voodo and the band over a span of 5 years as they take all necessary steps toward success. We watch them increase in popularity yet release an album that doesn’t sell, negotiate deals that end badly, and still remain unsigned. Not giving up, it is heartbreaking to see Voodo struggle intensely for something that keeps eluding him. His overwhelming want for success is ultimately a quest for the things that he always felt locked out of in life. Not only financial gain, but acceptance, understanding and worth.