With almost 20 years of professional and academic experience, Sam brings broad experience in research and documentation of the human experience. As Director of Operations for Docs In Progress, Sam is dedicated to empowering independent documentary filmmakers and educating the public about documentary as an art form.
Sam has completed two documentary films. Sam’s first film, My Mother’s Journey tells the story of Elizabeth (Liz) Shine Hampton who traveled in the 1950s from the rural South to Rochester, New York. This is a unique case study of an African American woman’s migration to the North and captures the cultural significance and social changes during 1960-1970 in upstate New York communities. My Mother’s Journey received the Bronze Peer Award for Documentary by The Television, Internet and Video Association of DC (TIVA) in 2009.
Sam’s current documentary, Hidden Books – The Art of Kumi Korf is a 30 minute story about a Japanese-American artist who combines architectural design, printmaking, painting, papermaking and artists’ books as part of her creative offerings. The documentary gives a unique perspective on Kumi’s life as an artist, and how the world around her influences her work. The film received the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award, widely recognized as a symbol of excellence in professional, independent and student filmmaking for over 50 years.
Prior to his work with Docs In Progress Sam was Executive Director for a national model community technology center in southeast Washington DC, helping to bridge the digital divide for underserved youth and their families. He also was Program Manager for the Executive Leadership Foundation’s Technology Transfer Project, providing strategic planning and grants management for minority-serving colleges and universities. Sam received the first congressional Alexis de Tocqueville Outstanding Citizenship Award and is a Frye Leadership Fellow at Emory University.
Sam holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Urban Education from Cleveland State University.
Sam Hampton can be reached at samATdocsinprogressDOTorg or (301) 789-2797.
