DreamSpring’s Maker MasterMind series is a monthly conversation featuring creative entrepreneurs who are building businesses, creating art, and making an impact. Presented as part of our DreamCreative initiative for creative small businesses, this free virtual series offers personal stories and practical advice to entrepreneurs in the creative industries.
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| This August, join us in conversation with award-winning documentary filmmaker Mike Shum. With his work appearing on outlets such as PBS, Al Jazeera, and Netflix, Mike will talk about entrepreneurship through the lens of independent filmmaking. |
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EVENT DETAILS Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 10 – 10:45 a.m. MDT
Cost: Free |
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Meet Mike Shum
Mike Shum is a Denver-born documentary filmmaker who’s spent the last 15 years capturing our world through investigative journalism and visual storytelling. A graduate of Colorado College and the son of immigrants from Hong Kong, Mike got his start in video news reporting and has since built a career producing films for The New York Times, Time Magazine, National Geographic, Al Jazeera, and PBS’ “Frontline.”
His projects have taken him from international conflict zones to American courtrooms and climate-threatened communities. Mike's body of work has earned him honors from the News & Documentary Emmys, NAACP Image Awards, the National Association of Black Journalists, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist nod.
Mike is also the co-founder of the Mountain Media Arts Collective, a Colorado-based organization that supports underrepresented voices in media. He recently completed a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard, where he studied how documentary film can strengthen public trust and accountability in journalism.
During this Maker MasterMind conversation, Mike will talk about how he keeps his focus on making art and impact, along with practical insights into film production, pitching, and distribution. Join our virtual session on Aug. 21 to learn about what it takes to turn a passion for documentary film into a thriving small business.
