Laura Waters Hinson

Laura Waters Hinson is an Assistant Professor in the Film and Media Arts Division of the School of Communication at American University. She also serves as the Director of the Community Voice Lab and co-head of the documentary concentration, fostering documentary filmmaking and community engagement.

Her educational background includes:

• MFA in Film and Electronic Media, American University
• BA in Political Science and Communication, Furman University

Hinson's research and creative work centers on documentary filmmaking that explores personal journeys, especially among women, and themes of reconciliation, human resilience, and entrepreneurship. Her films often highlight marginalized communities and social justice issues, spanning topics from post-genocide reconciliation in Rwanda to innovative housing solutions and immigration experiences.

Her filmography, spanning from 2008 to 2023, demonstrates a consistent focus on socially conscious storytelling. Recent works like Project Home (2023) and THE TEST (2023) address contemporary issues of housing innovation and immigration, respectively, and have been screened at prestigious festivals including the Rhode Island International Film Festival and Manchester Film Festival.

Hinson has received numerous accolades for her work:

• 2008 Student Academy Award for Best Documentary (As We Forgive)
• Cinema for Peace Award in Berlin (As We Forgive)
• Jury Award for Best Short Documentary at Santa Fe International Film Festival (THE TEST)
• Jury Award for Best Short Documentary at Annapolis Film Festival (THE TEST)
• Social Impact Media Award for Creative Activism (Street Reporter)
• Audience Choice Award at Austin Film Festival (Street Reporter)
• Audience Choice Award at Indy Shorts Film Festival (Street Reporter)
• Best Narrative Short at DC Independent Film Festival (Moving Violation)
• Jury Award for Best Short Documentary at Annapolis Film Festival 2022 (Street Reporter)

As an educator, Hinson teaches courses such as COMM-486 Directing the Documentary and COMM-702 Master's Portfolio Capstone. She mentors students in the documentary concentration and through the Community Voice Lab, which partners with DC community residents. Her project Mama Rwanda received support from the National Geographic All Roads Film Project.

Hinson directs the Community Voice Lab (CVL), an initiative that produces an annual film series capturing the voices of marginalized DC community residents, thereby bridging academic work with community engagement and social impact.