Isabela Zawistowska is a director, cinematographer, and documentary filmmaker whose work explores the deep connection between people, place, and the natural world.
Her films are grounded in lived experience, blending intimate vérité-style character portraits with cinematic storytelling that reveals emotional depth and lasting resonance. She leads small crews in remote and demanding environments, building trust-based relationships that enable authentic storytelling. Based in Ojai, California and working internationally, she creates emotionally resonant films spanning independent documentary and branded work, including collaborations with producers behind Chimp Crazy (HBO Max), Tiger King, and Kiss the Ground (Netflix).
Selected Works — Documentary
Documentary Series — HBO Max
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Role: Camera Assistant, Additional Cinematography
Short Documentary — Earthrise Studio
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Role: Director & Producer
Selected Works — Branded Storytelling
Aurelia Amber — Spring Campaign Film
Format: Super 8 Brand Film
Role: Creative Director & Director
Short Documentary — Patagonia
Location: Warren, Pennsylvania
Role: Director of Photography
Collaborated with
Vogue
Netflix
Cotopaxi
Patagonia
Honnold Foundation
Earthrise Studio
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Companion of the Setting Sun — Fiscal Sponsorship
Film Independent
PhotoVogue Global Open Call — Shortlisted Artist (Top 150)
PhotoVogue, 2025
Mountainfilm Micro Grant
Mountainfilm Festival, 2025
Mother Nature — Selected Storytelling Pitch
Earthrise Studio
PRESS
KOAT Albuquerque — Across Together
ShoutoutLA — Meet Isabela Zawistowska
Canary Media — Featured imagery (Puerto Rico’s first community-led microgrid)
SIGMA Photo — People, Power, and the Sun