Joe Zeitouny is a filmmaker and documentarian specializing in intimate storytelling through narrative and documentary work. His films explore culture and musical expression through observational and formal documentary styles.

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and has spent the past eight years crafting impactful stories, both independently and with teams of like-minded creatives. His key skills include cinematography, directing, editing, and producing for documentary and narrative projects.

His documentary experience includes working alongside the Boston Celtics to help revitalize Waltham High School’s TV broadcasting program, producing promotional films for the Waltham Parks Department, and interning for Alira Health, where he helped communicate the company’s environmental initiatives.

In 2023, Joe traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to film a feature documentary with the Cuala Foundation, capturing the hardships asylum seekers face on their path to citizenship. He has also documented the Black Lives Matter movement in Waltham, MA, and Minneapolis, MN. At doc/UWM, he produced, directed, filmed, and edited short documentaries about UW-Milwaukee alumni, working with companies like Trek, The Brady Street Improvement District, and America SCORES MKE.

Joe is also a narrative cinematographer and gaffer, with experience working on independent short films, corporate projects, and student films. His most recent documentary, a short film about local jazz in Milwaukee, was completed and screened at the Milwaukee Jazz Institute and the UW-Milwaukee Senior Screening. It also received coverage in the Milwaukee Shepherd, a local newspaper.

Current Work: Bouki Blues

Joe is currently in post-production on Bouki Blues, a feature documentary exploring cultural, personal, and spiritual themes, with guidance from Portia Cobb. The film is based on footage collected between 2001-2006 and continues to evolve with new storytelling layers. As the producer, editor, and cinematographer, Joe is assembling the film while awaiting translations of French, Wolof, and Pulaar. A trailer is expected by summer 2025, with the full feature set for 2026.

Beyond Bouki Blues, Joe continues to work on independent short films, further developing his voice in both documentary and narrative cinematography.