Kylie 2022 Documentary Short Film by Sterling Hampton IV

Watch Kylie (2022), the intimate and moving documentary short film by Sterling Hampton IV. Discover the powerful & unforgettable true story that everyone is talking about.

🌺 Kylie (2022) — Documentary Short Film by Sterling Hampton IV

Some stories bloom quietly, but their impact is thunderous. Kylie 2022, directed by Sterling Hampton IV, is a documentary short that captures the life of a young woman navigating the intersections of identity, vulnerability, and strength. It’s a portrait of courage told through intimate visuals and heartfelt testimony.

This short documentary explores the experience of a Black ballerina navigating the ballet world while performing on the streets of Los Angeles.

🧭 Overview

Genre: Documentary / Biography 🎭
Director: Sterling Hampton IV 🎬
Runtime: ~5 minutes ⏱️
Country: United States 🇺🇸
Language: English
Release: 2022 (festival circuit)
Style: Intimate, observational, emotionally raw

Watch the short:

📖 Story in Brief

The Subject: Kylie, a young woman whose life embodies both fragility and resilience.
The Struggle: She confronts personal challenges — from health to identity — with honesty and vulnerability.
The Journey: Through candid interviews and poetic visuals, the film traces her path toward self‑acceptance.
The Resolution: Kylie’s story becomes a beacon of hope, showing that strength often hides in the quietest places.

🎨 Creative DNA & Style

Close‑up intimacy: The camera lingers on Kylie’s expressions, gestures, and silences, making the personal universal.
Minimalist storytelling: No grand spectacle — just raw honesty and lived experience.
Visual poetry: Everyday settings (bedrooms, sidewalks, mirrors) become metaphors for inner landscapes.
Tone: Gentle yet powerful, balancing vulnerability with empowerment.

🌟 Themes & Resonance

Identity & selfhood: The courage to define oneself beyond external labels.
Resilience: How vulnerability can transform into strength.
Representation: Giving voice to stories often overlooked.
Empathy: Inviting audiences to see Kylie not as subject, but as mirror.

✅ Pros & ❌ Cons

Pros

🎯 Authentic storytelling: Kylie’s voice is central, unfiltered, and deeply human.
🎨 Visual intimacy: Makes small moments feel monumental.
🏆 Festival presence: Celebrated for its emotional resonance.

Cons

⏳ Short runtime: Leaves viewers wanting more of Kylie’s journey.
🌀 Minimal narrative arc: Focuses on mood and testimony rather than plot.

💡 Humanized Takeaway

Kylie is less about spectacle and more about presence. Sterling Hampton IV crafts a film that listens — to pauses, to laughter, to the weight of silence. Kylie’s story reminds us that resilience isn’t loud; sometimes it’s the quiet decision to keep going, to keep being, to keep loving yourself.

Key Personnel and Production

Role	Name
Subject	Kylie Jefferson
Director / Producer / Editor / Colorist / Composer	Sterling Hampton IV
Cinematographer	Adam Shattuck
Camera Operators	Adam Shattuck & Sterling Hampton IV
Drone Operator	Joey Killeen
Executive Producer (Production)	Sterling Hampton IV
Production Company	Clash of The Artistic Minds
Executive Producers (LA Times Partnership)	Nani Walker & Leslie Lindsey
Associate Producer (LA Times Partnership)	Williamena Kwapo

Festival Recognition

Festival	Award / Recognition
Urbanworld Film Festival	Winner Best Short Documentary
Doc LA Film Festival	Winner Best Short Documentary
1.4 Awards	Winner Silver
Sundance Film Festival	Nomination Best Short Documentary
American Film Institute / AFI Film Festival	Nomination Best Short Documentary
Official Latino Film Festival	Nomination Best Short Documentary
Tribeca Film Festival	Official Selection
Hot Springs Film Festival	Official Selection
Calgary International Film Festival	Official Selection
Cleveland International Film Festival	Official Selection
Philadelphia International Film Festival	Official Selection
Chelsea Film Festival	Official Selection
San Luis Obispo Film Festival	Official Selection
Dances With Films Film Festival	Official Selection
Fargo Film Festival	Official Selection
Walla Walla Movie Crush Film Festival	Official Selection
LA Shorts Film Festival	Official Selection
Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival	Official Selection
LA Indie Film Festival	Official Selection