Jean-Baptiste Sankara
— JB.
Jean-Baptiste Sankara (JB) is a New York-based filmmaker, director of photography, editor, and producer. He works across documentary, nonprofit, and brand film — bringing the same craft and rigor to every format.
JB was camera operator (2nd unit) on the feature documentaries A Peloton of One and The Lost Trophy, and was co-director of photography on Sulu and Excelsior’s visual album, The Antimatter Suite. He is currently Director of Photography and Co-Producer on Play It in Woo, a feature documentary about keyboardist Philip Woo — one of the first prominent Asian American musicians in R&B and funk.
Selected Credits & Accolades
Pamanhikan (2015) — Editor
- ›Audience Choice Award, 2016 Ithaca Pan Asian American Film Festival
- ›Programmer’s Award, 2016 Disorient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon
- ›Official Selection, 38th Asian American International Film Festival
A Peloton of One (2020) — Camera Operator
- ›Audience Award, Greenwich International Film Festival
“We’re not interested in video that checks a box. We’re interested in film that changes the room.”
JB works closely with nonprofit organizations and fellow filmmakers on stories where something real is at stake. He has been Head of Media for the Georgie Badiel Foundation and their annual Water Ball fundraiser, leading all film and media production for the event.
He applies the same documentary instinct to brand work — founder stories, organizational films, and campaigns grounded in real people rather than polished personas.
Outside the work, JB enjoys time with family and friends — taking photos, watching a soccer match, or getting on the pitch when the opportunity comes.
