Creative Partnerships
Collaborative Storytelling for Mission-Driven Projects
Aeilea Media works with a small network of trusted creative partners to deliver documentary, narrative, and mission-driven media projects. These collaborations bring together specialized expertise in directing, cinematography, writing, and editorial storytelling while maintaining a unified creative vision.
Core Creative Collaborators
Aeilea Media was founded by multimedia producer April Reneé Bailey, whose work focuses on documentary storytelling, science communication, and mission-driven media. Her work blends a cinematic eye with editorial intuition, shaped by years in university communications, research storytelling, and global media production. She holds a B.A. in Visual Arts Media from UC San Diego, along with formal training in multimedia production and marketing. This academic foundation informs her ability to translate complex research, educational content, and social-impact initiatives into clear, engaging visual narratives. She has collaborated with academic institutions, research centers, and organizations across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, supporting conferences, public-facing research initiatives, and mission-driven campaigns. Her work is recognized for clarity, craft, and intention. Aeilea Media is April’s boutique creative studio that partners closely with Gnomebird Productions, Studio Keyani, clients, and collaborators to produce ethical, purpose-driven storytelling across film and digital platforms.
April Reneé Bailey,
Aeilea Media
Auri is a writer-director who brings heart, humor, and purpose to every story she tells, and is the co-founder and president of Gnomebird Productions. With a background in narrative filmmaking for environmental activism, her work spans award-winning television pilots, festival-selected shorts, and viral digital series. Auri is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Film & TV, where her thesis work earned the program’s sole faculty commendation in comedy. During her seven years at BuzzFeed, Auri directed and produced over one hundred videos, pioneered viral environmental content, and developed multiple successful unscripted series—building a deep understanding of how stories capture attention at scale. Her projects have been recognized by Austin Film Festival, Outfest, and the San Diego Latino Film Festival. She currently freelances as a director, with a primary focus on sustainability-driven storytelling and consulting. She serves as a sustainability consultant for A24, advising on environmentally responsible production practices.
Auri Jackson,
Gnomebird
Shawheen is a cinematographer, director, and photographer whose work is shaped by a lifelong relationship with culture, storytelling, and adaptation. Born and raised in Tehran, he developed a love for cinema early on—learning English through bootleg VHS tapes of Hollywood films, an experience that sparked his passion for visual storytelling. After relocating to the U.S., he studied Film, Art, and Electronic Music at UC Santa Cruz before establishing his creative career in Los Angeles. Running Studio Keyani, his photography and production studio and co-founding Gnomebird Productions, he is known for creating imagery that feels immersive, highly creative, emotionally grounded, and visually precise—bringing a strong sense of place, movement, and mood to every frame. His collaborative approach and attention to detail make him a trusted creative partner for teams seeking both cinematic craft and authenticity. His work spans commercial, documentary, and narrative projects, marked by strong visual intuition, cinematic depth, and a distinct sense of humor.
Shawheen Keyani,
Studio Keyani
How Our Creative Partnerships Work
Aeilea Media collaborates with a small network of trusted creative partners to deliver documentary and mission-driven media projects. Depending on the needs of each project, collaborators may contribute directing, cinematography, editorial leadership, motion design, or production management. This flexible model allows the team to assemble the right mix of creative leadership and specialized expertise while maintaining a consistent commitment to thoughtful storytelling and high production standards. Each collaboration is structured around the creative and strategic needs of the story, ensuring that every project benefits from the most relevant experience and perspective.