Filmmaker Name: Leslie Westbrook

Short Biography About Filmmaker: I am a long time print and radio journalist who has always loved documentary films. I produced a couple of television documentaries in Santa Barbara in my "youth", so this opportunity to return to something I enjoyed doing was a treat. We made this film to document the history of Aliso School during it's period of segregation from 1920-1947 to preserve history and also use as a tool to help get a mural for the school - which I am happy to say exists to this day!

What type of films do you most love to create?: Documentaries!

Any notable awards or recognitions?: I've received journalism awards (for print and radio work). This film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was also selected for the San Luis Obispo Film Festival as well as the Snake Alley Festival of Film in Burlington, Iowa. Other festival notifications are pending!

Fun fact or interesting tidbit about yourself: My first documentary film attempts took place in junior high school with my best friend. We interviewed people on the street in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, we didn't have any film in our camera...but it was good early practice for talking to strangers.

Any additional details you'd like to share.: Most of our "stars" - Aliso School students who attended during the time of segregation are no longer with us - but their stories live on in our short film. My cinematographer/editor/film making partner Brent Winebrenner did an amazing job as did narrator Dr. Jim Campos in pulling this film together. It also helped get funding for the beautiful Aliso School mural, "Past, Present, Future".