Our Team - STORYTELLER

STORYTELLER is Ulrike Julie Hensel, Robert Maletta and a network of over 100 highly motivated production freelancers and volunteers from around the world. We are also currently recruiting for an advisory board.

Ulrike Julie Hensel - founder and Executive Director

When her native Germany was going through emotional and economic upheaval after re-unification in 1990, Ulrike picked up a video camera and traveled around Germany, asking East and West Germans the same questions - from the astonishingly different answers came an interesting documentary which very clearly demonstrated the social and philosophical divisions in the country.

Now fired up about film, Ulrike went to the London International Film School to better learn the craft. She then set up Trojan Horse Productions (New window) (www.trojan-horse-productions.co.uk) in 1994 in London specializing in films for the charity sector. Her client list includes the BBC, The Body Shop, Amnesty International, UN agencies, Christian Aid and Comic Relief.

Many successful film projects later and following the success of the Linking Practice to Policy series (see Our Impact) Ulrike saw that there is another way to use film to its full potential while celebrating the human spirit- the idea for STORYTELLER was born. As a fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, she was well placed setting up another social enterprise. A word about passion; Ulrike takes her passion and inspiration from the amazing people she meets during the course of each project, people who despite a lot of hardship and obstacles remain alive with passion, energy and celebration of life.

Robert Maletta is co-founder and co-director of STORYTELLER

Almost twenty years ago Robert Maletta left America, driven by the desire to see the world and to add his signature to it. Most of it was spent in Africa, the rest of it in Europe and a bit in Asia. During that time, he worked as an aid worker, a photographer, a filmmaker, and an environmentalist. He is a lawyer by training, but a documentary activist by inclination. Presently, he moonlights as a consultant for international aid agencies such as Oxfam and the United Nations and travels to places affected by poverty, conflict, and disaster. He brings to Storyteller a deep understanding of what it is like to be on the frontlines of humanitarian action. Together with co-director, Ulrike Julie Hensel, he hopes to communicate alternative views as challenges to the tired clichés of mainstream media.

VOLUNTEERS

Jo Barett

Storyteller is an inspirational project. It has shown me what can be achieved by giving just a few hours of your time to something you believe in. I have no hesitation in recommending voluntary work with 'Storyteller' to anyone who wants to help make a difference, however small.

Neelam Sharma

I joined Storyteller as I was interested in gaining experience in the voluntary sector and this project sounded very interesting and challenging. Undertaking desk research on global issues is for me the most interesting aspect of this project. As the research reports on various global issues affecting the developing world it gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge on these issues and assess the importance and effectiveness of the media in policy changes. Brainstorming sessions with other project members offers me the opportunity to discuss my ideas and contribute to the project in a more hand's on way and makes it more enjoyable!

Peter Duggal

I enjoy supporting Storyteller with technical knowledge with regards to internet presence as well as helping with the odd sound recording gig as I believe these projects are important. I'm generally interested in how to harness technology for the social change process.

Kathryn Banner

Storyteller films focus on inspiring personal journeys which need no elaborate script to draw you in; never losing sight of the fundamental issues and positive, remarkable work being undertaken in some of the world's most desperate situations. Having undertaken an MSc in Anthropology and with my hopes to continue with my studies (particularly in regard to child psychology in the developing world) alongside film making, Storyteller's ethos and verve are very much aligned with my own enthusiasms. The project has been great fun and a privilege to be a part of.

Gaynor Eccleston

Designing and building the website was a great opportunity to make a contribution to Storyteller and help to spread the word of their great work. It was also a lot of fun!

Now that you have a better idea of our company, approach and philosophy, go to 'OUR FILMS' to learn about our projects.

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