Set Hernandez built their directorial debut, unseen, from the ground up as a film designed to be equitably enjoyed by blind and sighted audiences alike, then used audience impact research to make the economic and civic case for films that serve communities the industry has yet to take seriously. Leonard Cortana—scholar, filmmaker, op-ed writer and doctoral researcher—came to documentary through humanitarian work before channeling that formation into building BIPOC EURODOC, a collective infrastructure for producers navigating an international ecosystem. What connects them is a shared refusal to wait, to ask permission, to soften the critique, while possessing an irrepressible energy to confront what ails us. This conversation brings them together to talk about the provocation of impact and what it actually takes to keep going.
Biographies (submitted by the speakers):
Unapologetically queer and undocumented, Set Hernandez is a filmmaker, writer, and community organizer whose roots come from Bicol, Philippines. An audio-centric film, Set's documentary feature debut UNSEEN (POV/PBS, 2024) received an Independent Spirit Award. It is noted for its intersectional, creative team of LGBTQIA+, undocumented immigrant, and disabled/blind artists. Set's work also includes impact producing for IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020) and PJ Raval's CALL HER GANDA (Tribeca, 2018). A 2026 USA Fellow, Set's filmmaking has been supported by Firelight Media, Doc Society, Sundance Institute, Ford Foundation, among others. Since 2010, they have organized around migrant justice issues, from deportation defense to healthcare access. They co-founded the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, which promotes equity for undocumented immigrants in the film industry. In their past life, Set was a linguist, researching bilingualism. Above all, Set's work is made possible by the radical love of their ancestors, their community, and their family.
Set Hernandez built their directorial debut, unseen, from the ground up as a film designed to be equitably enjoyed by blind and sighted audiences alike, then used audience impact research to make the economic and civic case for films that serve communities the industry has yet to take seriously. Leonard Cortana—scholar, filmmaker, op-ed writer and doctoral researcher—came to documentary through humanitarian work before channeling that formation into building BIPOC EURODOC, a collective infrastructure for producers navigating an international ecosystem. What connects them is a shared refusal to wait, to ask permission, to soften the critique, while possessing an irrepressible energy to confront what ails us. This conversation brings them together to talk about the provocation of impact and what it actually takes to keep going.
Biographies (submitted by the speakers):
Unapologetically queer and undocumented, Set Hernandez is a filmmaker, writer, and community organizer whose roots come from Bicol, Philippines. An audio-centric film, Set's documentary feature debut UNSEEN (POV/PBS, 2024) received an Independent Spirit Award. It is noted for its intersectional, creative team of LGBTQIA+, undocumented immigrant, and disabled/blind artists. Set's work also includes impact producing for IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020) and PJ Raval's CALL HER GANDA (Tribeca, 2018). A 2026 USA Fellow, Set's filmmaking has been supported by Firelight Media, Doc Society, Sundance Institute, Ford Foundation, among others. Since 2010, they have organized around migrant justice issues, from deportation defense to healthcare access. They co-founded the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, which promotes equity for undocumented immigrants in the film industry. In their past life, Set was a linguist, researching bilingualism. Above all, Set's work is made possible by the radical love of their ancestors, their community, and their family.
