Renee Bergan

Renée Bergan "became interested in documentary filmmaking as a vehicle for her political and social justice expression. Tired of rallies and the other norms of protest, she decided to express her political voice through art, in hopes of reaching a broader audience. In 2003, she founded Renegade Pictures, Inc., with the sole goal of educating, inspiring and advocating change through her films.

"Renée studied cinema in Paris, France in the year 1989 received her degree in film from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1993. While attending UCSB, Renée received a Corwin Award for her short documentary, Persistent Discretion, a 16mm film about domestic violence. She also received Best Cinematography for her work on a fictional short, Girl in the Window, in 1992. Sadaa E Zan (Voices of Women), a documentary about Afghan women, received the Social Justice Award for Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2003, as well as the Audience Award and Best Director Award in the Documentary category of the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival, held in Los Angeles in the spring of 2004. In 2004, Renée completed Paul Soldner: Playing With Fire, a documentary about revolutionary ceramist Paul Soldner. Other works include: Believe Me, a 30 second PSA for SB Rape Crisis Center, Change Not Charity, a promotional video for The Fund For Santa Barbara, Urban Canvas, a documentary about three contemporary street painters and Fashion Slaves, a documentary about the garment industry."

• Co-Producer/Co-Director/Director of Photography/Editor, Poto Mitan
• Founder, Renegade Pictures, Inc.