In a world where stories shape our sense of identity and community, Vashni Korin is becoming a vital voice by using film to honor her Afro-Caribbean roots and uplift marginalized narratives.
Through her distinctive lens, Korin captures the vibrant experiences of her heritage and the complex, multicultural world she navigates as a Bajan-American and Puerto Rican filmmaker.
By sharing her own “saudade” — a profound feeling of longing that Brazilians use to describe nostalgia for an ancestral homeland — Korin’s films invite audiences to embrace and reflect on their identities.
Korin’s directorial debut, You Can’t Stop Spirit, premiered in 2021, making waves as a tribute to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras “baby doll” tradition, in which women embody the energy of Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of love and prosperity.
This 16-minute documentary won at the London Independent Film Festival and received a Best Documentary Short nomination at BlackStar Film Festival, celebrating women who mask up to release societal burdens and reconnect with spiritual roots.
Korin told Revolt in an interview that:
“This film was about reclaiming my voice, and it’s for women who find strength in community and tradition.”
Building on her journey, Korin’s second film, Negra, Yo Soy Bella, highlights Afro-Puerto Rican artist Mar Cruz’s healing journey through the Bomba dance, a powerful tradition honoring Afro-Latinx heritage.
The film, executive produced by Queen Latifah through the Queen Collective fellowship, received widespread acclaim and was featured at major film festivals, including Tribeca.
At the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, an audience member shared her own story of resilience, inspired by Cruz’s healing through dance, reaffirming Korin’s belief in storytelling’s transformative impact.
Zora Neale Hurston’s documentation of Black life and spirituality profoundly influences Korin’s work.
“I hope I was Zora in a past life,” Korin reflects, embracing Hurston’s commitment to representing overlooked communities with authenticity.
Korin’s recent projects, including the adidas Honoring Black Excellence docuseries, continue her mission to elevate the voices of Black women making powerful contributions to society.
At the heart of Korin’s filmmaking is her dedication to memory and cultural preservation. Her most recent work, Running Forward, premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, telling the story of Wanda Cooper-Jones, mother of Ahmaud Arbery.
Korin describes her work as “a metaphorical quilt” woven with narratives of strength, resilience, and love, reminding audiences of the enduring power of collective memory.
Through her films, Korin not only preserves Black culture but also empowers future generations to build a legacy grounded in identity and resilience.
“When we remember who we are, we can imagine new realities,” Korin shares.
Korin is a guiding light for others seeking to explore and honor their own identities.
