School of Cinematic Arts Directory Profile

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Heidi Burkey

Adjunct Associate Professor

Affiliated Divisions:

Division of Film & Television Production

Heidi Burkey is an accomplished documentary filmmaker with over 16 years of experience directing and producing character-driven, socially relevant stories. Her work explores the complexities of the human experience and has been featured on platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Amazon. Heidi’s debut feature, Jedi Junior High, and her original series and shorts for AT&T, Crunchyroll, and Fusion have earned widespread recognition and millions of views online.

She has led creative teams from concept through post-production, developing compelling treatments, directing vérité and interviews, and shaping stories in the edit. Her recent credits include The Class, produced by Daveed Diggs for KQED, and An Update on Our Family, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

As an educator, Heidi brings a deep understanding of both craft and industry. She is passionate about mentorship, fostering inclusive storytelling, and preparing students for real-world careers in film. She is a member of the International Documentary Association, Documentary Producers Alliance, Women in Media, and the Video Consortium.