Allison Swank Owen is an award-winning documentary filmmaker based between Brooklyn, NY and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Her work is grounded in a passionate curiosity about the world both past and present. Throughout her career she’s developed a flexible shooting style and contemporary visual edge that’s intimate, layered, sincere, and fresh. Allison got her start as an editor in Chicago, making documentaries for networks like The History Channel and National Geographic. She realized her talent as a director in New York where she created short- and long-format documentaries for The Roots’ music channels OkayAfrica and Okayplayer, working with renowned artists like Erykah Badu, Elvis Costello, A$AP Rocky, and Flying Lotus.
Since moving to South Africa in 2015, she’s produced and directed documentaries, brand films, and music videos with some of the country’s most well-known and visionary artists. Her keen eye and versatile approach have since attracted international attention, taking her across the African continent to work with artists like Major Lazer, Burna Boy and Mr. Eazi.
Follow her @allisonswankowen