FLOWSTATE FILMS

At FLOWSTATE we believe that film can be a powerful tool to educate, inspire, and create change. We are guided by our commitment to ethical filmmaking where our ultimate goal is to empower participants and clients with the ability to tell their story in a compelling, engaging way.

OUR STORY

Our story began over 18 years ago. We met while working at a production company and immediately hit it off as friends and colleagues. In those early years, we spoke about our shared career goals to make independent, mission-driven films and form our own production company. In 2015 we created FLOWSTATE Films, a women-owned production company based in the Washington, DC area.

FLOW STATE:

An optimal mental state that elicits energized focus, complete immersion, and total fulfillment while completing a task

OUR BIOS

Rachell is passionate about telling mission-driven stories that align with her dedication to social justice and the fight for a more representational democracy. She is an award-winning producer, director and writer with over 20 years in the industry producing independent films and films for educational institutions and non-profits. She has a sharp attention to detail which is essential when managing large budgets, crews and complex production schedules. A mom of two kids, 9 and 6, she understands the necessity of balance and the luxury of being able to obtain it, even if only in small slices.
Rachell was a producer on the nationally broadcast historical documentary film, THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, which premiered on PBS’ flagship station, American Experience. She managed the nearly one million dollar budget, collaborated closely with her partners on all creative aspects of the film and managed the intense production schedule.
She also wrote, produced and directed a series of short doc’s for The George Washington University’s 200th anniversary. The flagship film of the series “GW at 200” was narrated by GW Alumnus, Kerry Washington.
Learn More about Rachell here

Co-Founder. Producer. Director

Rachell Shapiro

Co-Founder. Director. Editor

Leola Calzolai-Stewart

Leola Calzolai-Stewart is a director, editor and producer, bringing over 15 years experience in documentary film and video to FLOWSTATE Films.
THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, Leola’s directorial debut, was awarded two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a development grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. The film aired on PBS' American Experience in February 2022. The project was selected as part of Black Public Media’s 2019 360 Incubator+ program and Leola is one of Firelight Media’s Documentary Lab Fellows for 2019-21.
Leola co-produced and edited the feature documentary, THE LAST SONG BEFORE THE WAR and edited the feature documentary DEAR WALMART. She has an MA in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University’s Fletcher School and a BA in international affairs from the University of California, Davis. Leola studied film at the Tshwane Institute of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa and has lived in Mali, South Africa, Belgium, Brazil, and Canada. She has been to Timbuktu. Twice.
Learn more about Leola here