Songs of Black Folk

Haley Watson is a director and director of photography whose work explores the depth and complexity of the human experience. A native of Wheaton, Illinois, she began her career in Seattle, WA, as a 1^st AC before relocating to Los Angeles. Watson joined Local 600 in 2018 and was later selected for the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women and the ASC Vision Mentorship Program.

Her recent work includes ECA–winning documentary short Songs of Black Folk, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival and was distributed by LA Times Short Docs and POV Shorts. The film follows renowned Black musicians as they unite to create a historic Juneteenth performance, celebrating music, family, resilience, and cultural legacy. Watson served as both director, alongside Justin Emeka, and cinematographer.

Watson’s other work includes Motorcycle Mary at the 2024 Tribeca Festival. Executive produced by Lewis Hamilton, the film was acquired by ESPN Films as part of its acclaimed 30 for 30 series. She also served as director/director of photography on One in Fifty, a film supporting human rights that introduced changes for child advocacy in Brazil.

For Songs of Black Folk, Watson blended intimate interviews, dynamic concert cinematography, metaphoric visual imagery, and archival to create a timeless visual language. Interviews were captured on ARRI Amira cameras paired with Zeiss Super Speeds, while additional footage was photographed using a range of camera systems, including the Sony FX9 and Canon C300, helping unite material filmed across multiple locations and time periods into a cohesive cinematic experience.