Photo by: April Kirby

Photo by: April Kirby

Heidi Burkey

is a seasoned documentary filmmaker whose work delves into the complexities of the human experience, often highlighting social, political, and environmental issues. Her films have been distributed on platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Amazon. As a filmmaker, she is known for her ability to craft character-driven stories that highlight the experiences of underrepresented individuals, bringing attention to those whose stories are rarely told.

Heidi’s debut feature documentary, JEDI JUNIOR HIGH, was distributed by Mar Vista Entertainment and is currently available for streaming. She developed and directed the six-part series THE PITCH for AT&T's Audience Network, which delved into the subculture of football fans in the UK. Heidi also directed FAN CHRONICLES, the debut original series from Crunchyroll, a major platform for anime, and her documentary short films for Fusion’s award-winning series, EIGHTEEN and WE MAKE AMERICA GREAT, have garnered millions of views across digital platforms. 

With over 16 years of experience in nonfiction storytelling, Heidi has led production teams on projects ranging from branded content to long-form documentaries. Her portfolio includes story producing, THE CLASS, a documentary series produced by Daveed Diggs for KQED, and AN UPDATE ON OUR FAMILY, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024. With notable credits including MORE THAN ROBOTS and THE COMMUNITY TABLE, as well as episodes of ARTBOUND, PRETTY BIG DEAL and KEEP THIS BETWEEN US, Heidi’s diverse body of work spans various formats and consistently blends authenticity with visual creativity to deeply resonate with audiences.

In addition to her directing work, Heidi has collaborated with high-profile clients such as Warner Bros. and REI, leading creative and story development across commercials, branded content, and episodic series. She teaches documentary production at the University of Southern California and is a member of the International Documentary Association, Women in Media, the Documentary Producers Alliance, and The Video Consortium, where she is dedicated to fostering community and mentorship in the documentary field.