On her 33rd birthday, American filmmaker Stephanie Gardner set out to travel to over 33 countries to meet other film directors who are also approximately 33-years-old, to learn about their lives, careers, engage with their cultures.
"33 and Me" is a documentary travel series that explores each country and culture through a look at the country's past, present and future of cinema. "33 and Me" takes audiences on a journey around the world through the eyes and experiences of 33 year-old filmmakers from a diverse set of backgrounds. Each episode features an inspiring individual making films against all odds. We present timeless and universal stories centered around human emotions, relatable struggles, and the inspiring journeys through life while overcoming its many obstacles. For the filmmakers we feature, some of these obstacles include censorship on freedom of expression, gender inequalities, lack of funding, lack of electricity and lack of distribution options. Each episode has its own unique look and feel due to the vast diversity of landscapes and locales that we visit, such as the ancient history of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, the colorful markets of Ghana, the hidden souks of Saudi Arabia, the fjords of Iceland during the Winter Solstice and the rhythmic nightlife of Cali, Colombia. Every episode features an established or up-and-coming, approximately 33-year-old professional film director from that country and delves into the individual's hopes, dreams, desires and obstacles they face as thirty-somethings on their own home turf.