My name is Nia Whitmal. I am in an anthropology doctoral program at Cornell University. I study housing, memory, and wealth accumulation among Harlem's black middle class. My research is supported by the Wenner Gren Foundation. I hold a BA in anthropology from Yale College. That’s me on the far right
I am also a budding filmmaker, working in documentary and narrative. This website is dedicated to showcasing my video art. You can find some of my work below.
Jade the Icon
JADE THE ICON (2024) dir. Katie Spear is a satirical short film about the absurdity of internet fame and celebrity culture. The film follows Jade, a barista in Bushwick who is deemed a "queer icon" after they accidentally go viral playing harmonica on the subway.
Uncolored stills below
Reflections in Synagogue
I had the pleasure of serving as the digital director of photography on Amir Moverman’s experimental documentary Reflections in Synagogue (2024).
The film will premiere at the Jewish Film Festival of Berlin & Brandenburg in June 2024.
Stills from Reflections pictured below
Uncolored stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Stills from Reflections in Synagogue.
Feature-length documentary directed by Malcolm St. Pierre about the life and career of Harlem-based historic preservationist Michael Henry Adams.
My role: Digital photography, B camera operation, archival research, location scouting.
Mr. Adams (Ongoing)
This film is fiscally sponsored by the Maysles Documentary Center.
SKATES (2024)
Dual perspective short exploring the friendship between 25-year old Ryan and 23-year old Lana. Ryan and Lana’s friendship is a rather intimate one. So much so that Ryan picks up roller skating as a hobby when Lana starts her new quarterly job at a roller rink rental booth. This film explores the complexities of the unspoken rules in their friendship and what can happen when tacit boundaries get crossed.
Written and directed by Dani Payne
I shot on a Blackmagic Ursa Mini 4.6k
Abdullah (1st AC), me, and Dani pictured below. Photos by Jason F. Vasquez
Stills pictured below.
Uncolored stills from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
Still from Dani Payne's SKATES
10 mins, documentary short
Shot in New York, a city full of strangers, Ticker explores the anxieties produced by the influence of mass media in everyday life, and the specter of men and women we learn to fear and love through the continuous stream of signs. Influenced by the writings of sociologist Christopher Rojek.
TICKER (2022)
TICKER (2022)
DANCE OF THE BOX GIRL
An archival short about female sexuality online and the slippage between humans, dolls, and robots. Inspired by writings of sociologist Kim Toffoletti