“I believe there is no such thing as an ultimate
Truth, but instead versions of the truth that
are put out into the world by those with the
tools and resources to do so.”
Joua Lee Grande is a filmmaker and community educator with a deep commitment to elevating underheard voices. Her short film On All Fronts received an Honorable Mention from CAAMFest's Loni Ding Award for Social Justice Documentary. It was the opening episode for a series that won a Silver Anthem Award and received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2023. Her newest film Teb Chaw (Land) premieres at CAAMFest and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in May 2025. She previously worked as a Producer-Editor at Twin Cities PBS (TPT) and an Editor at WCCO TV 4 News (CBS).
Joua’s approach is rooted in her passion for community, collaboration and social change. She has over a decade of experience in nonprofits and grassroots efforts working with youth, families, and storytellers from communities that have been historically marginalized. As a speaker, consultant, instructor and mentor, she values building a robust and diverse filmmaking community both locally and nationally where underheard stories can create positive impact and undersupported storytellers can thrive.
WHERE JOUA’S WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED
WORLD Channel
PBS
CAAMFest
PBS Short Film Festival
Los Angeles Asian Film Festival
Her work has been featured on WORLD Channel, PBS Digital, CAAMFest, and the PBS Short Film Festival.
FELLOWSHIPS
TBA (2025)
Confluence Fellowship, True/False Film Festival (2023)
PBS Accelerator Fellowship for Diverse Voices, PBS (2023)
Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, The Jerome Foundation (2021-2023)
MediaJustice Network Fellowship, MediaJustice —formerly Center for Media Justice (2021)
Diverse Voices in Docs Fellowship, Kartemquin Films & Community Film Workshop of Chicago (2019).
COMMUNITY GROUPS & AFFILIATIONS
The Waterers, Waterer
A-Doc, Member, Steering Committee Member from 2021 through 2023
Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Member
Documentary Producers Alliance, Member
In Progress, Artist
APIA MN Film Collective, Participant
Coalition of Asian American Leaders, MOVEE Participant 2017
PAST NONPROFIT WORK
Storytelling:
SPNN, Media Education Program Manager
More Than A Single Story, Communications Manager
Arts:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Instructor
Walker Art Center, Educator
Family and Youth Work:
Northside Achievement Zone, Family Connector & Academic Navigator
*Inspiring Leader Award, Leaders of Today Leaders of Tomorrow Awards at Hmong New Year 2013
Genesys Works, Program Coordinator
Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) Americorps, Youth Programs Coordinator