DIRECTOR/PRODUCER - RITA DAVERN
Over the past 40 years, Rita Davern (originally Davoren) has traveled the Burren, birthplace of her grandmother’s people in County Clare, Ireland. Her daily life, like that of her father before her, includes time searching for the people, places and stories her immigrant ancestors left behind. When drinking tea with Irish friends and relatives, the conversation often turns to those who stayed and those who left, as the devastation of colonization, hunger and emigration took its toll. Rita knows first-hand that, for U.S. people with European heritage, reconnecting to our homeland and our cultural history adds huge richness to our lives. Rita worked as a communication and leadership trainer for twenty years. When her adopted Korean son became ill, she learned, and now teaches, Parenting-by-Connection, an approach to parenting that builds close, healing relationships with children through play. Stories I Didn’t Know is Rita’s first film. She is currently working on a second film, Burren Girl, focused on the Ireland part of her family story.

CO-DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/CINEMATOGRAPHER/WRITER - MELODY GILBERT
Melody Gilbert is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has directed, produced, shot and edited eight feature-length documentaries that have screened at noteworthy film festivals and been broadcast internationally. She also serves as a producer for other documentary projects that inspire her, including LOVE THEM FIRST: LESSONS FROM LUCY LANEY ELEMENTARY (2020 Alfred I. duPont award) and BENEATH THE INK (nominated for a 2019 Emmy for Outstanding Short Documentary that qualified for an Academy Award), WOMEN OUTWARD BOUND (2016/PBS)and the James Beard award-winning THE STARFISH THROWERS (2015). The films that Melody directs are noteworthy for featuring a rare intimacy with her subjects as she unearths previously hidden worlds. She works mostly solo and has the ability to get people to reveal their innermost thoughts, whether it’s the family of a child who can’t feel pain (A LIFE WITHOUT PAIN/SXSW), a former Vice President of the United States (FRITZ: THE WALTER MONDALE STORY/PBS), or people who have full- fledged relationships with synthetic companions (SILICONE SOUL, currently on STARZ). Melody is also a passionate educator currently on the faculty at Northwestern State University in the Department of New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts. The Documentary Channel calls Melody “one of the most fearless filmmakers in contemporary documentary cinema.” Read more about Melody at www.frozenfeetfilm.com.

EDITOR/CINEMATOGRAPHER - MILES PAINTER
Miles Painter is an editor and cinematographer with a strong passion for documentary. He previously collaborated with Melody Gilbert as the lead editor of “Silicone Soul,” and has also worked as assistant editor on the Netflix doc-series "Making a Murderer” and editor on the feature documentaries ”Eating Up Easter,” “Not in My Lifetime,” and “Circle the Wagen.” His current work in documentary film combines years of experience in the entertainment industry with an MSJ from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

INTERN - ALICIA HATHAWAY
Alicia recently graduated from film school in Minneapolis. She worked as a camera assistant for the Twin Cities Film Fest in 2016 and was also a part of the editing team. Post-production is her favorite part of the filmmaking process. Along with a passion for filmmaking, she enjoys creating and writing music. Alicia edits and manages media, publications and event planning for Stories I Didn’t Know Alicia had the amazing opportunity to grow up as an army brat. This has given her the opportunity to see the world and understand cultures other than her own. She loves being back in Minnesota after years away. She says, “Its like a breath of fresh air.”