Judy Branfman,

Producer/Director

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A native Angeleno, I turned to filmmaking to pursue a hidden family story that reveals a rebellious history of free speech - and the roots of my own activism. I have a broad background in the arts, including textile pieces for public places; and large mixed-media installations about LA’s garment workers and labor history, and Boston’s history of community development activism.

 

I co-edited and photo-edited Public Los Angeles, featuring the work of longtime friend & historian Don Parson, continuing my work telling histories of activism. Recently I organized a year-long project about lost affordable housing in Venice, CA, Where Has All The (affordable) Housing Gone?

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I’ve done extensive interviewing and research on LA’s historic Jewish and multi-cultural neighborhood, Boyle Heights, where this film takes place, and organized several events, Latinos & Landsleit, on the area’s multi-ethnic labor history with Self Help Graphics. For over 30 years I’ve done arts, writing, outreach and education, and planning projects of my own and with non-profits, unions, and municipalities – and taught SoCal-centric labor and social justice-related courses. Over the years I've had the opportunity to work with other artists and activists on wonderful projects, including Standing Our Ground in Boston and "Hidden Labor: Uncovering LA's Garment Industry" in LA. I’m a Research Affiliate with UCLA’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment.

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