New roots

'New Roots' was created in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (The IRC) to tell deeply personal, human stories about newly arrived immigrants as they build new lives in the United States. Rather than a traditional documentary, we developed a reality-style series that follows participants in the New Roots program—a community garden initiative that brings refugees together with local residents to cultivate food, connections, and a sense of belonging.

The series centers on two individuals whose journeys unfold over the course of a summer. The first is a Congolese woman who is reunited with her children after five years of separation, capturing the emotional complexity of rebuilding family life after displacement. The second is a Burmese cook whose talent and determination lead him from working in the garden to a chance meeting with a celebrity chef—and ultimately to a position in the kitchen of one of New York City’s top restaurants.

Filmed over several months, New Roots documents not just milestones, but the quieter moments of adaptation: learning new routines, forming relationships, and gaining confidence in unfamiliar surroundings. By following these parallel stories, the series reveals how opportunity, community support, and perseverance can reshape lives in real time.

At its core, the project was designed to spotlight refugees acclimation into the United States and focus on resilience and success. Supported by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), New Roots shows what is possible when people are given the tools, trust, and space to put down roots—and grow.