Santana Coleman is an award-winning filmmaker, educator, and advocate for social justice storytelling. Her work explores themes of identity, systemic inequities, and resilience, weaving these elements into every project she leads.
Her first professional credit as Co-Producer on the acclaimed documentary When Claude Got Shot earned an Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking in 2022. She went on to direct The Last Week, a powerful short film examining the impact of Black male incarceration on families.
With a deep commitment to community engagement,
Santana also served as the impact producer for When Claude Got Shot, helping to connect its message with audiences and drive meaningful dialogue.
Her latest film, Pieces of the Puzzle—produced in collaboration with Everytown for Gun Safety—premiered at MVAAFF in August 2025. The documentary highlights how community violence intervention organizations across the U.S. are reducing gun violence and empowering neighborhoods. She also field-produced the Emmy-winning Two American Families, a 33-year docuseries chronicling the struggles of Milwaukee families facing economic hardship.
Through her films and impact-driven work, Santana continues to inspire reflection, foster connection, and amplify underrepresented voices.
