Welcome to our latest spotlight story from RE:IMAGINEATL, where we delve into Franklin. At 24 years old, Ciara Franklin has already lived through challenges that have shaped them into a creative with extraordinary depth and perspective. Going by they/them/she/her pronouns or just Franklin, this artist brings a rare combination of resilience, open-mindedness, and compassion into every space they enter. Today, Franklin is not only a social media manager and video editor, but also an auntie and advocate, proving that creativity can be both personal expression and a tool for collective healing.
Rooted in History, Inspired by Nature
Franklin finds their inspiration in the world around them—whether in the intricate rhythms of nature or the timeless lessons of history.
“I’m definitely inspired by nature. I love honoring natural processes and flora and fauna, but I also really adore history. Learning about what happened and the liberal arts or humanitarian sciences make me feel like I’m part of a larger, more timeless tradition.”
It’s this awareness of connection—to the earth, to humanity, to community—that informs the richness of Franklin’s creative voice. Graduating from Spelman College’s inaugural documentary filmmaking program in 2022, Franklin is the first openly Intersex Spelman College alumn. Their first destination was an internship with the American Pavilion in France at the Cannes Film Festival where they served as a writing intern with SAGIndie. Upon their return stateside, they interned with A24 and Made In Her Image. Ciara shares,
“Post-undergrad life is increasingly challenging. You have to find ways to keep reinventing yourself. Community organizations like RE:IMAGINE were crucial for me.”
Apprenticeship and a Fresh Start at RE:IMAGINE
After two years of industry strikes, restaurant jobs, and shifts as a barista, Franklin was ready to give up on their dreams of being a filmmaker. Until Ciara applied with RE:IMAGINE as an EMERGE Post-Production Apprentice. Training under Chris White and Nina Marinov, they learned the ins and outs of Adobe Premiere virtually, where they honed both the technical details and the art of turning raw footage into compelling stories.
“Between shifts, RE:IMAGINE trained me on how to become a strong assistant editor that can keep projects organized, well documented, and collaborative.”
After completing their EMERGE apprenticeship, Franklin worked as a senior editor for their first narrative feature film, “Holiday Heist” which will be available to stream on Amazon Prime and Tubi this November. They have also collaborated as an editor on “Mercury’s Stars: Makenna Lyric’s Story” a film by Maia Helvy which was created as a part of the Visionary Justice Lab. It wasn’t just technical skills Franklin walked away with—it was a renewed sense of possibility.
“It’s okay to have a fresh start. When you feel like giving up on your dreams, it’s okay to put things down, step away, and find the courage to reinvent yourself as a professional and an artist.”
Breaking Through and Building Confidence
From barista to apprentice to feature length senior editor, Franklin’s trajectory has been nothing short of transformative. Today, Franklin still serves as Communications Coordinator and Social Media Manager for RE:IMAGINE ATL. Under the tutelage and mentorship of Shahana Khan Khalil, Franklin was a teaching artist assistant for RE:IMAGINE’s first EMERGE Social Media Marketing Track, helping the next cohort of representative filmmakers transform their own lives,
“By offering me opportunities like a certification and access to paid roles, I’ve changed everything in my life. Working with different types of people has helped me grow and build my confidence. I’ve been able to secure housing for myself. Make new friends! I’m so much happier now than I’ve ever been.”
In their capacity as an EMERGE Fellow turned employee, Franklin has directed educational videos, collaborated on productions for partners like UTA, United Way, and the NBAFoundation and designed billboards and campaigns for The Center, GAGives, and LinkedIn.
Lessons in Collaboration
This summer, Ciara Franklin also represented Georgia as an Congressional Liaison for Reconnecting Youth Campaign’s OYCL Fellowship. Traveling to D.C. to meet with Representative Nikema Williams, Franklin advocated for Opportunity Youth like her.
“Support one another first. If there’s a project someone’s doing, ask if you can help or if they need PAs. Put yourself in other people’s shoes and try to be gentle with yourself. There’s so much competition nowadays, so if you find people who want to do what you do, hold onto them and try to become closer friends.”
Their advice is a reminder that artistry is never solitary—that even the most independent creative paths are supported by relationships built on trust and care.
Dreaming Forward
Looking ahead, Franklin imagines a life built on both artistry and balance.
“In five years, I hope to have established a solid foundation and career in social media marketing, communications, and film. I hope that my dreams and aspirations as an artist still leave room for me to have balance. I want to have room for joy in my life, and inshallah I’ll be directing a feature.”
With her resilience, work ethic, and their unwavering compassion, Ciara Franklin is well on their way to building a life that’s as creative as it is impactful. You can see Stills from Franklin’s thesis, “The Intersex Gambit” on display at City Hall in the Atlanta Mayor’s Annual LGBTQ Pride Exhibit. Franklin’s journey demonstrates not only how far they’ve come, but how much their artistry has grown when nurtured in community. For Franklin, the heart of creativity lies in collaboration and generosity.
