Washington, D.C. – Renowned as an Emmy Award-winning video journalist, director, photographer, and mentor, Don Napoleon is a creative visionary celebrated for his exceptional storytelling through photography and video.
“Don Napoleon’s unwavering dedication to storytelling and mentorship embodies the spirit of the Filmmaker of the Month recognition. His commitment to meaningful storytelling and the empowerment of underrepresented voices makes him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor,” says Director LaToya Foster.
A lifelong student of the arts of photography and video, Don Napoleon's career has been marked by an unwavering dedication to capturing the essence of life through visual storytelling. With a background in Psychology and Communications from Virginia State University, Don quickly made a name for himself in the industry, securing positions at prestigious organizations including NBC News Richmond and formerly OCT, the Office of Cable Television.
In 2004, Don partnered with Gearshift TV to create cutting-edge photographic and video art, quickly distinguishing the company from its peers. The Napoleon Complex project, Don’s documentary film house, serves as a powerful platform for conveying the human experience in real environments, and has garnered acclaim from Capitol Hill, TV commercials, and documentaries featuring NFL players and organizations.
Don Napoleon's extensive portfolio includes collaborations with notable entities such as the National Football League Players Association, Dream Works Pictures, Qatar Ministry of Economy & Finance, BBC, and NBC, among others. His documentary works have covered a wide range of significant events, from political hearings on Capitol Hill to the commemoration of historical milestones and cultural celebrations.
In addition to his professional success, Don is committed to nurturing the next generation of storytellers through Exposure, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2003. Exposure provides real-world education and hands-on opportunities to college students interested in the multimedia and arts industries, with a special focus on students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Continuing his pursuit of lifelong education and growth, Don Napoleon recently completed a certificate in Journalism/Storytelling at NYU and continues to push the boundaries of authentic storytelling. His most recent project, "RENEGADES," a digital series of documentary short films, celebrates the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. Launched in October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the series emphasizes authentic storytelling and features a cast and crew composed almost entirely of disabled individuals, majority women and people of color. RENEGADES provides not only captioning and audio description, but versions with Extended Audio Description offering a richer experience for our Blind and Low Vision viewers and an ASL version for those who are D/deaf.
To learn more about Don and his filmmaking journey, you can listen to his appearance as a guest on the DC Radio 96.3 HD4 program, Soul Wealth Radio, hosted by Dr. Vikki Johnson. Click on the link here to listen: https://bit.ly/3YyNnRc.
DON NAPOLEON DC RADIO INTERVIEW
Want to learn more about Don Napoleon and his work? Click HERE to listen to his DC Radio interview.
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About FILMMAKER OF THE MONTH
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) launched the “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative as a vehicle for highlighting the talents and creative contributions of filmmakers that make the District of Columbia their home. The “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative is part of OCTFME’s mission to elevate the national and international profile of the District’s talented filmmakers.
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME), an award-winning District of Columbia Government agency, leads the city’s extensive efforts to build and support a sustainable film, music, and entertainment creative economy and labor market. Additionally, OCTFME serves as the city’s cable television service provider regulator and as the customer service hub for cable subscribers.
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The District’s government cable access channels District Council Channel (DCC), the District of Columbia Network (DCN), and the District Knowledge Network (DKN).
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DC Radio (96.3 HD4), OCTFME’s owned and operated digital radio station, in partnership with Howard University’s WHUR.
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District of Columbia Entertainment Network (DCE), OCTFME’s 24-hour streaming platform available worldwide on ROKU, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV as well as iPhone and Android mobile devices (download the DCE Network App or at DCENetwork.com).
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The handling of all of the District’s filmmaker production needs including permits, city services, and logistical support, job placement assistance, workforce development and the DC Film, Television, and Entertainment Rebate Fund (DC Rebate Fund).
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Providing additional support to the creative community through the Creative Affairs Office (CAO) and Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: 202Creates initiative. CAO showcases and preserves the District of Columbia’s rich creative communities throughout all 8 Wards.
