Doris Presley does not view homelessness as a statistic.

Doris spent her youth along the train tracks of Arizona where her mother welcomed hobos en route to California into their home for a hot meal, medical aid, and pleasant company. The absence of a home was not sinful or dirty. Every traveler in Doris’ childhood had a face, a story, a future. Doris’ mother instilled in her a belief in the sanctity of hospitality, and Doris has spent the past 70 years honoring that great tradition.

At age 90, Doris continues to work tirelessly to provide a home for people who are in need of one. She understands that shelter, although important, is only a “home” in the most basic sense, and founded Doris Cares to offer a more personal solution to homelessness. Doris dreams of being able to provide food, clothing, housing, medical care, and most importantly, empathy to those who are housing insecure. She will never slow her fight before her dream becomes a reality.

Food Broker: Doris is a character study that chronicles Doris’ ambition of feeding and caring for homeless people throughout Los Angeles while overcoming her own disability and lack of resources.

Director's Statement

Who deserves to be seen? Who is worth our time? As filmmakers, we actively grapple with

these questions. There is a deep significance to deciding who becomes a public face and

who will remain closed away and out of sight.

Food Broker: Doris turns the camera towards someone who is far from others shown on a

silver screen. Doris Presley is neither well known nor regarded as particularly successful, but

we decided to look at her for a simple reason: she never looked away.

For over 50 years, Doris has been providing meals to homeless people throughout Los

Angeles. She actively sought out those who society had forgotten and devoted her life to

them. Despite being elderly, a woman of color, and disabled, Doris has never once faltered in

her mission; not even the pandemic has stopped her from answering the call of those in

need.

We truly hope that everyone takes inspiration from Doris to find even the smallest ways to

help others. Good deeds should not be scarce and unnoticed.

Now we ask the audience: Who catches your attention when your eyes flit between others

on the street? Will you look away?

Crew

 Lo Lam - Director/ Cinematographer

Lo Lam is a writer/director who works in Hong Kong and Los Angeles. After graduating from BBA (Law) at the Hong Kong University, Lo worked extensively in Hong Kong and Taiwan's digital commercial industry, writing and directing at least 20 spots. Lo acquired an MFA in Film & TV Production at University of Southern California. Her short films, including Who Lives My Life? (2016), Food Broker Short Docuseries (2022), and Al Niente (2023), have been selected by numerous international film festivals. With a sunny, never-give-up personality, Lo strives to make creative and visionary content with unconventional ideas as a female millennial.

Justine Suh - Director/ Editor

Justine Suh is a writer/director. She was born in Indiana but has since lived in Vancouver, New York, and Seoul, and traveled to 30 different countries. She got her BA in History with a minor in Dramatic Literature at New York University and an MFA at the University of Southern California for Film & TV Production. Her documentary work includes award-winning Rise & Shine: A Story About Breakfast Makers, and Food Broker series. She also

wrote and directed Breeze, an animation short which screened at international film festivals. She strives to create whimsical fiction films and inspirational documentary films.

Emily Kalish - Cinematographer

Emily Kalish is a filmmaker and photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from The New School with a BA in Culture and Media in 2015 and from USC School of Cinematic Arts with an MFA in Film and TV production in 2018. She founded Verlaine Pictures in 2019 and worked as a Layout Intern at Pixar Animation Studios in 2022. Emily is currently a Layout Apprentice at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Peter Lam - Composer



Peter Lam, born in Hong Kong and musically-trained in London, a Los Angeles-based composer, has composed for over 70 film and TV projects, including B-Side: For Taylor (LAAPFF), Where Dreams Rest (Best Original Score nomination at MadridiFF) and Go to Bed, Raymond (Hulu). He has contributed additional music and arrangements to series such as Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+), Doom Patrol (HBOmax), and Narcos: Mexico (Netflix). Peter has also won a Daytime-Emmy Award for music-editing Star Wars: The Clone Wars Final Season (Disney+).

Behind the Scenes: