By Sofiya Saykovska
Welcome to NYWIFT, Claire Read!
Claire is a New York-based documentary filmmaker and producer known for her work on HBO series like Telemarketers and The Vow, as well as independent documentaries covering diverse subjects. Her journey into documentary filmmaking began with a high school project on a controversial NYC community center, now culminating in Penn F—ing Station, a documentary exploring the city’s debate over its redevelopment. She crafts stories that blend emotional depth with intellectual engagement, focusing on authentic narratives and human connections.
Continue reading to discover Claire’s experience in filmmaking and learn more about her upcoming projects.
A warm welcome to NYWIFT! Introduce yourself, give us a brief elevator pitch!
I’m a documentary filmmaker and producer based in New York. My recent work has ranged from producing documentary series, like Telemarketers and The Vow for HBO, to directing and producing independent docs across a range of subjects.
What brought you to NYWIFT?
I’ve seen and enjoyed a couple of NYWIFT’s shorts programs at film festivals and was inspired to join myself!
What initially garnered your interest into the world of documentary filmmaking?
I first made a documentary as a high school student about the plan to build an Islamic community center two blocks from the site of the World Trade Center. I realize as I write this that it’s coming full circle – because I’m now about to release a documentary about another NYC city politics drama of a different kind and neighborhood. My upcoming film is about the debate over how to fix Penn Station and the surrounding midtown area that erupts between the city’s power brokers and residents.
Audience engagement is crucial for documentaries seeking to provoke discussion and effect change. How do you approach crafting stories that resonate with viewers on both emotional and intellectual levels?
A complex character is often the first thing that draws me in. Patience is also key, I’ve learned. Footage ages well, and stories take time to play out to their fullest and write themselves. I’m less interested in fast filmmaking (depending on the story!).
Your career has spanned projects ranging from television docuseries to independent film shorts. How do you balance creative freedom with the commercial considerations of different platforms?
I guess I like to keep busy! And whether I’m working on an independent film or a more commercial project, most of the same rules of storytelling still apply… I’m interested in bringing to light untold stories with humanity and authenticity. Hopefully there’s humor in there too!
On recent projects, this has meant following a living and breathing character and story as it unfolds. In the case of Telemarketers, a lot of that unfolding happened in past years of archival footage; and then even more happened in our present day filming. [Editor’s Note: Telemarketers has just been nominated for an Emmy! Click to read more.]
I’ve been lucky enough to work with and learn from incredible filmmakers across a range of projects, big and small. From editors, to directors, to producers, and on. I love how collaborative the process is.
Your documentary short Penn F—ing Station received a Rooftop Filmmakers’ Fund grant and is set to premiere at DC/DOX and Rooftop Films. Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind this project and what audiences can expect from it?
Yes, Penn F—ing Station will play next at Rooftop Films as a part of their New York Nonfiction program on July 26.
Growing up in NYC, I’ve always had an unusual fondness for the infamous and detested transit hub that is Penn Station. When I noticed it was beginning to undergo renovations for the first time in decades, I felt compelled to document the station in its decrepit state (before it began to shimmer and shine like Hudson Yards).
Within days, a debate erupted over how to fix Penn Station between the city’s power brokers and residents. The film follows said ongoing battle over a new mega development plan.
Penn Station is not the sort of place that most people would point a camera towards, but to me, it became a sort of underground opera filled with endless textures, characters and even humor. Really the film is about public space and the future of NYC – the city on the precipice of change, and what power people have to determine the future of their city.
Lastly, where can readers find more about you and your work, and are there any projects in the works you’d like to share?
I’ve got a few projects in the works (docs and a narrative too) that I’m excited about. Can’t say much just yet, but there seems to be a theme of complicated female protagonists in a few of them.
Up next for me is Penn F—ing Station’s NYC premiere on July 26: https://rooftopfilms.com/event/new-york-non-fiction-6/ Come check it out!
Check out Claire’s website, clairereadfilm.com.
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Nicole Palermo
Welcome to NYWIFT, Nicole Palermo! Based in New York, Nicole Palermo is a producer and production manager experienced in both narrative and documentary filmmaking. After studying acting in college, she and friends launched a four-episode web series and founded their production company, Talking Back Pictures. She fell in love with producing and transitioned to full-time production in 2019, moving to documentaries with Apple TV+’s The Super Models in 2021. Known for her work in the five-time Emmy Award-winning Jim Henson: Idea Man, her documentary work emphasizes flexibility in storytelling, while her narrative projects, including Seoul Swith and Pen, Again, showcase her abilities working on meticulously executed films. This fall, she is producing the short film The Daughter by Mary Ann Anane.
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Haroula Rose
NYWIFT Member Haroula Rose is a filmmaker and musician from Chicago, now residing in Los Angeles. She just recently completed All Happy Families, her sophomore feature film as writer, director and producer. It had its international premiere in Galway and was released theatrically in late 2024 with Freestyle and AMC. Her debut feature as writer/director, Once Upon a River, based on the best-selling novel, was “One of the Most Anticipated Films” in TIME Magazine and FILMMAKER, winning 19 awards at over 40 festivals worldwide.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Wanda Coppage
Welcome to NYWIFT, Wanda Coppage! Wanda J. Coppage is a creative force in the music and entertainment industry, driven by her passion for music supervision in TV and film. With a background in broadcast journalism and digital media, she has connected with community leaders and entertainers alike, serving as a red carpet correspondent for the BET Soul Train Awards. Recently, she launched 70 Starr Media to embrace her multifaceted identity and offer emceeing and digital content services. Currently completing a Music Supervision certificate at Berklee while pursuing her MBA, Wanda is also set to moderate the premiere of Tubi’s Divided Loyalty, showcasing her commitment to creativity and growth in the industry.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Meryl Jacobs
Welcome to NYWIFT, Meryl Jacobs! Driven by a lifelong passion for the arts, Meryl Jacobs creative professional has built an inspiring career spanning advertising, Broadway stage management, and post-production as an award-winning video editor and business owner. Embracing challenges with optimism, she believes in the power of self-belief and continuous growth. After returning to New York post-pandemic, she launched her own company, Gotham Edit Inc., confident in the value she provides to clients. Among her proudest achievements are collaborations with Universal Pictures, a corporate branding reel for Tumi, and a recognized PSA for the City of Los Angeles on senior scams. Grateful for every opportunity, she remains dedicated to creating impactful work that helps others. Read on to learn more about her fascinating career!
READ MORE
Comments are closed