FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A collaborative documentary project brings the voices of DC Doors leadership, frontline staff, and young people together to tell the story of a vital Washington, DC organization.
WASHINGTON, DC — October 13, 2026 — Anissa Studio has completed a documentary film for DC Doors, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit providing housing assistance and essential support to individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
The documentary focuses on the people behind DC Doors' mission, including the leadership and frontline staff who sustain its programs and the young people who turn to Zoe's Drop-In Center for meals, resources, and a safe place to seek support 24 hours a day.
For Anissa Studio, the project presented a compelling storytelling challenge: how to communicate the importance of an organization's work through the experiences of the people who know it best.
The production brought together three perspectives: the vision that led to the creation of DC Doors, the daily realities of delivering services, and the experiences of young people whose lives have been affected by the organization's support.
Working closely with the DC Doors team, Anissa Studio developed a documentary approach that centered these voices while accommodating a defined production budget and a single day of filming.
"One of the most meaningful aspects of this project was the opportunity to hear directly from the people who make DC Doors what it is," said Anissa Douglass, Founder & Creative Director of Anissa Studio. "We wanted their experiences to drive the film, allowing viewers to understand both the challenges young people face and the dedication required to provide meaningful support. Working with the DC Doors team made it possible to bring those perspectives together in a way that felt personal, respectful, and true to their mission."
In addition to the completed documentary, Anissa Studio developed a series of shorter videos featuring individual stories and key messages from the film. These supporting pieces give DC Doors additional material for digital outreach, public awareness, and fundraising communications.
DC Doors praised the collaboration and the studio's ability to represent the organization's work within the project's practical constraints.
"What stood out most was their ability to capture the personality and spirit of our 24/7 drop-in-center and the young people we serve," DC Doors shared in its testimonial.
The organization also commended Anissa Studio for understanding the importance of telling stories with "purpose, authenticity, and dignity."
The completed project reflects Anissa Studio's commitment to combining creative direction with thoughtful documentary storytelling, helping mission-driven organizations communicate the human experiences behind their work.
For Anissa Studio, the collaboration with DC Doors demonstrates what can be achieved when careful listening, creative planning, and a shared understanding of purpose guide a production from the first conversation through the final edit.
Watch the documentary: https://vimeo.com/1235678693?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Learn more about DC Doors: https://www.dcdoors.org/
About Anissa Studio
Anissa Studio is a creative production studio specializing in visual storytelling, creative direction, and video content. The studio collaborates with organizations and creative professionals to develop compelling narratives that communicate their work, values, and impact.
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Anissa Studio
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Accompanying testimonial — DC Doors
We had a wonderful experience working with Anissa Studios on our video about DC Doors. From the beginning, Anissa and her team demonstrated a genuine commitment to understanding our vision, our mission, and the heart of the work we do. What stood out most was their ability to capture the personality and spirit of our 24/7 drop-in-center and the young people we serve. They worked collaboratively with our team to bring our ideas to life while staying within our budget and during one day of shooting, ensuring that we received a final product that truly reflected what we hoped to communicate to those interested in supporting our organization. We are incredibly grateful to Anissa Studios for their partnership and for the level of care they brought to this project. We would highly recommend them to any organization looking for a creative, collaborative, and professional team that understands the importance of telling stories with purpose, authenticity, and dignity.
— Janethe Peña, CEO, and Pratima T. Narayan, DC Doors
