In Conversation with Filmmaker Naz Habtezghi
Third World Newsreel shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of one of our own, Naz Habtezghi. As the director of “Birthing a Nation: The Resistance of Mary Gaffney,” which has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form Documentary, and as co-director of “The ABCs of Book Banning,” nominated for an Academy Award for Documentary Short, Naz’s work exemplifies the powerful impact of storytelling through film. These nominations not only celebrate her exceptional storytelling skills but also underscore the narratives that TWN is committed to amplifying.
We chatted with Naz about her journey into filmmaking, the inspiration behind her impactful work, and what the future holds. See our interview below!
How did you begin your filmmaking career?
In 2010, I shifted from magazine journalism to documentary filmmaking. After leaving Essence Magazine, I joined HBO Documentary Films. There, I gained invaluable experience in documentary acquisitions and worked as a researcher/production associate on a docu-series. Without the means for film school, I approached my time at HBO as my education, complementing this real-world experience with workshops and seminars to deepen my understanding of filmmaking.
How did the production workshop impact your career?
I’ve always admired TWN’s commitment to supporting Black and Brown filmmakers, having been familiar with their work since my days as an arts and entertainment editor. Before joining the TWN Production Workshop, I attended several of their seminars, which covered everything from pre-production planning to financing and budgeting. The Masterclass sessions with veteran filmmakers were particularly enlightening.
In 2012, I applied and was accepted into the TWN Production Workshop, led by the late Herman Lew, an extraordinarily thoughtful and generous educator. This workshop provided me with a structured learning environment akin to film school, teaching me the comprehensive aspects of filmmaking. I also worked with a small team to produce a short documentary on New York City’s Stop & Frisk policy.
The TWN Production Workshop was more than a learning environment — it was a space where I felt seen and heard as a Black filmmaker. It validated the nuanced, impactful stories that I wanted to tell. That experience was pivotal, giving me the confidence to embrace my identity as a filmmaker and pursue this path wholeheartedly.
What’s next?
I’m currently collaborating with Imara Jones of TransLash Media on a short doc series highlighting three trans-activists addressing critical issues like housing insecurity, economic equality, and immigration. Additionally, I’m developing my first feature-length documentary, a project I’m incredibly excited about!
Note: This interview has been edited for clarity.
