Connor O'Keefe

Connor Lee O'Keefe (he/him) is a documentary filmmaker and editor born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His work utilizes a queer lens to defamiliarize reality, telling stories that imagine new modes of being and push beyond preconceived notions on how to live and be in relationship with oneself and others. Empathy, curiosity, and collaboration with participants in front of the camera are core pillars of his work. His short films have gone on to play at major film festivals - including Palm Springs International ShortFest, Nashville Film Festival, and Cleveland International Film Festival. His most recent short, IMAGINE A BODY, premiered on The New Yorker Documentary Series in June 2022. His films have been incorporated into a variety of other causes and events - including a TEDx Talk on the power of sharing personal stories in 2018. In addition to his own filmmaking - Connor has been a part of various avenues of the film and media industry. He's worked as an equipment manager in film, television, and live event; a stream technician for major media outlets such as NBC; and a freelance editor for nonprofit works and documentary features. Throughout his career, Connor has consistently been engaged in filmmaking as a form of community engagement, mentorship, and advocacy. He's tutored artists from Brunei to Stanford to downtown Chicago from all walks of life and experience. For him, filmmaking is first and foremost an opportunity to learn.