Q&A with NYFA Documentary Alum Kendall Marianacci, Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Research on the Netflix documentary “Victim/Suspect”

NYFA Alum Kendall Marianacci is a documentary filmmaker and adventurer. After graduating from  NYFA's One Year Documentary program at the NY campus, Kendall interned with acclaimed filmmakers Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, and worked as a production assistant at Imagine Entertainment. Her most recent work as a researcher on the Netflix documentary "Victim/Suspect" got her an Emmy for Outstanding Research. 

Kendall spoke to the Alumni Network about her career and the experience of winning her first Emmy Award. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career. What are some projects you’re most proud of?

K.M: Before starting my documentary career, I founded a company and became a Forbes 30 under 30 exhibitor. While being an entrepreneur, I realized how much I loved storytelling. I dropped everything and went to NYFA 1 Year Documentary Conservatory in 2019. When I finished the program I snagged an internship with Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin's Little Monster Films. From here, I worked at Imagine Entertainment as a production assistant and in development. The first project I felt really proud of my work on was Imagine's Judy Blume Forever, which made its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. While working on Judy Blume Forever, I got a job at Motto Pictures where I started working on Victim/Suspect which also premiered at 2023 Sundance Film Festival. I have been working for Motto Pictures ever since. One of my favorite projects I've worked on and am most proud of is Motto Pictures' Unfinished Business (Amazon Prime). I went from being indifferent about the WNBA and basketball to falling in love with the New York Liberty. It was an unbelievable experience to learn about the history of the WNBA and film in Barclays Center. Currently, I'm extremely excited and passionate about a project I'm developing that I will be directing.

NYFA Alumni Network: What made you interested in making documentaries?

K.M: There's something magical about the way the world works. Once I realized I could spend my life being curious about the world and learning, I was hooked.

NYFA Alumni Network: You recently won an Emmy for “Outstanding Research for the Netflix documentary “Victim/Suspect”. Congratulations! Tell us more about the project and how you got involved?

K.M: I took a one day gig with a cinematographer as a camera assistant on an entirely different project. I told her that I was looking for work and she told me I should work for Motto Pictures. She passed my information on to a Co-Producer on Victim/Suspect. He cold called me and hired me. I'm extremely grateful and lucky.

NYFA Alumni Network: What were some of your responsibilities on the project?

K.M: I was primarily a researcher on the project. I worked with the editors to build the archive and research this issue going on with sexual assault victims. I watched hundreds of hours of police interrogation footage and read thousands of police documents and investigations to find instances of poor investigative practices. Beyond the research, I spent a lot of time helping support and plan production. I also did a lot of work with graphics, subtitles, licensing archive, and more. I'm really grateful to have been able to work with a wonderful team.

NYFA Alumni Network: What was your reaction when you found out you won?

K.M: Disbelief. It was the first award of the night. I kept thinking, is this real? Was I truly nominated? It wasn't until I saw my IMDB page with the win that it sunk in. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us about your experience attending the awards ceremony?

K.M: It's fun! You're in a room full of inspiring people. It was an incredible experience to be among some of the best documentarians in the industry. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that helped you on this project and others?

K.M: I feel like the one lesson I always carry with me from NYFA is a reminder that we're always growing as filmmakers and the most important thing is to be able to think on your feet. Finding creative solutions is essential. It's also important to remember that documentaries are collaborative so being organized and a positive person in the workplace can really improve workflows.

NYFA Alumni Network: What’s keeping you busy these days? Are you working on any future projects?

K.M: Work is constantly keeping me busy. I have several projects in production and am currently in development and early production of a personal project I'm directing. When I'm not working, you'll find me rock climbing, in the gym, or doing jiu jitsu. I'm always picking up new hobbies; it keeps me inspired and creative.

NYFA congratulates Kendall on all her success!