Matison LeBlanc is a Louisiana-born filmmaker whose work is rooted in the untold stories of her culture and community. A first-generation Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, she has written and directed five short films and one commercial, earning multiple festival awards. Her debut feature, Ada and the Doc, is based on the untold true story of the first woman executed by the state of Louisiana in 1927 in her hometown of Morgan City, LA. The film’s proof-of-concept short has been well-received on the festival circuit, having sold out its local premiere and screening three times at the 2025 Festival de Cannes. Drawing from her background in painting, theatre, dance, and writing, Matison brings visual poetry and emotional authenticity to every project she creates.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

I’m thrilled to judge for the Telly Awards because it’s a chance to immerse myself in the kind of bold, inventive storytelling that keeps our industry alive. I’m always moved by work that takes risks—projects that come from a place of truth, craft, and passion. Having the opportunity to recognize and uplift those voices, especially emerging or underrepresented ones, feels like a natural extension of why I became a filmmaker in the first place.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first paid job in the industry was serving as a special effects makeup artist assistant on the set of Fear the Walking Dead Season 8. I started my journey in the industry as a makeup artist, so being able to make zombies for the Walking Dead was literally a dream come true. It was an incredibly difficult shoot– from the sweltering Georgia summer heat to the 50+ pound dead bodies I had to lug around the man-made swamps, that set taught me incredible resilience and the ability to keep my composure in less than ideal conditions. Above all, it taught me the power of teamwork– working together to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, regardless of obstacles.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

When I look for excellence in video, I’m looking for intention — every creative choice should serve the story. Whether it’s the cinematography, sound design, or performance, I’m drawn to work where all the elements feel cohesive and emotionally truthful. Technical polish is important, but what moves me most is when a piece has a clear point of view and a heartbeat behind it — something that lingers after it’s over. I value authenticity, strong visual storytelling, and the courage to take risks in both form and message. True excellence, to me, is when a video connects craft and emotion so seamlessly that it feels inevitable — like it couldn’t have been made any other way.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

As a writer, director, and producer, my main focus is developing and bringing to life stories that explore underrepresented perspectives, with an emphasis on Southern identity and women’s narratives. I’m currently developing my debut feature film, Ada and the Doc, while continuing to collaborate on creative teams across film and television. My role requires balancing the creative and logistical sides of filmmaking — shaping story, guiding performance, and building the kind of trust that allows collaboration to thrive. What I love most about my job is the moment when everything aligns — when story, image, and emotion come together to reveal something deeply human. That’s the magic that keeps me doing this work.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I was inspired to pursue filmmaking because it’s the perfect intersection of all the things I love — visual art, language, performance, and emotion. My early background in painting taught me how to see; theatre and dance taught me how to feel; and storytelling taught me how to connect those instincts into something larger than myself. Filmmaking allows me to merge those disciplines into a single craft that can move, challenge, and inspire people on a collective level. I’m especially drawn to projects that center underrepresented voices and human complexity, because I believe great stories have the power to bridge gaps in understanding and leave a lasting impact far beyond the screen.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

One of the biggest changes I’m seeing in the industry is the shift toward authenticity — audiences are craving stories that feel personal, specific, and emotionally true. In a world of regurgitated IP, the industry is starving for original content. The lines between independent and mainstream storytelling are blurring, and smaller, more diverse voices are finally finding platforms to be heard. With that opportunity, though, comes a challenge: learning how to sustain your creative voice while navigating the business side of filmmaking. My biggest insight is that longevity comes from clarity of purpose — knowing what kind of stories you want to tell and why. When your work is rooted in truth and intention, it can adapt to any trend or technology the industry throws your way. And knowing that, above all, no one is going to come along and make your project for you– you have to make it happen by any means necessary.