Will a Minneapolis filmmaker say yes to her spirit guides and become a Hmong shaman?

To help decide, Joua Lee Grande is doing what she does best: Making a documentary about it.

As filmmaker Joua Lee Grande takes on bigger projects in the near future, she views events like Film Score Fest as a place to connect with other talents.

Into Focus (film by Joua Lee Grande, music by Olly Manning), a heart-wrenching exploration of alienation, loneliness, and depression, with music and delivery that tugged expertly at the heartstrings. Special mention to the performances by cellist Ed Cadman and pianist Franco Holder.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joua Grande.

Each year, TeamWomen recognizes and celebrates women who have excelled in a typically male-dominated profession or industry.

The Minneapolis-based director spoke with WORLD Channel about her short film and the importance of telling Asian American stories, especially those that explore duality and identity.