I often find myself in foreign environments where quick thinking and meticulous decision-making are crucial for the contributors I work with. I've self-shot the trans community in Bangladesh, documented Ukrainian refugees in Poland, and worked with Uyghur survivors, all for charities, publications, and investigative projects.

My signific... Read More

I often find myself in foreign environments where quick thinking and meticulous decision-making are crucial for the contributors I work with. I've self-shot the trans community in Bangladesh, documented Ukrainian refugees in Poland, and worked with Uyghur survivors, all for charities, publications, and investigative projects.

My significant breakthrough came when i-D Magazine commissioned me to document a queer South Asian club night, leading to a three-year project chronicling and assimilating into this community. During this time, I connected with British South Asian fashion designer Rahemur Rahman, and together for the last five years we've been developing the documentary "Body of Our Own," which follows the often guarded transgender community in Bangladesh. I raised and managed a £50,000 budget, self-shot 120 hours of footage, and produced two high-end teaser edits. This project immersed me in the complexities of producing in a developing country with cultural and language barriers. As a white woman, I have learnt to navigate these spaces with sensitivity and respect, understanding the nuances of racial and gender politics.

"Body of Our Own" prepared me for an Associate Producer role with BAFTA and Emmy-winning director Kate Blewett on a feature film currently in development. In this role, I have managed the crew, supported Kate creatively, written and designed investor treatments, and helped develop a large budget. Working on such the heavy subject matter I am attuned to the importance of safeguarding, supporting contributor and crew relationships, and upholding ethical standards, which I now apply to all my work.

I have connections with leading creatives and activists in the media industry, from Jameela Jamil to Eshaan Akber, giving me a rich network of collaborators. Working as Blewett’s AP and then also developing my own documentary, I am well versed in the current trends and demands within unscripted TV. My diverse professional journey has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of creative and managerial pressures, enabling me to produce high-quality content. I’ve infiltrated inaccessible groups and crafted impactful stories which has resonated deeply with my audiences.

Some key projects:

Stonewall: A Hijra Story - Producer/director (self-shot)

http://www.lilyvetch.com/project/hijra


Helen Kirkum: Palimpsest - Producer/director (self-shot)

http://www.lilyvetch.com/project/helen-kirkum


Sahar with Serbest Salih - Producer/director (self-shot)

An initiative run by Serbest Salih that teaches local and refugee children how to take photos and print them in the darkroom.

http://www.lilyvetch.com/project/sahar-sirkhane-darkroom-documentary 


Photography work:

http://www.lilyvetch.com/project/portraits 
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