Allison
Argo
Producer, Director, Editor
Allison Argo’s films have won over 80 awards internationally, including six national Emmys, duPont Columbia, Genesis, Jackson Hole, Banff, and dozens of awards from New York to Japan. Argo is known for her emotionally-charged and deeply personal films – in particular her intimate portraits of abused and endangered animals.
The nearly two dozen films she’s produced, directed and written have all been broadcast by PBS and/or National Geographic and have reached audiences worldwide. Her most recent film, The Last Pig, premiered on PBS in 2021 after appearing at 42 film festivals. This award-winning film is now available for streaming internationally.
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Forever Home continues Argo’s mission to deepen understanding and respect for our planet and for all beings.
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Founder + Director,
Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge
Lenore Braford
Lenore is the Founder and Animal Care Director of Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge. Lenore has nearly a decade of experience working with and enriching the lives of animals. Her commitment and passion to helping farm animals stems from her core beliefs in kindness, justice, and compassion for all living creatures. In 2012, Lenore founded the Refuge in Pittsboro, North Carolina where she leads a team of committed volunteers and staff in taking care of some of the most special individuals you will ever meet – the beloved animal residents.
Architectural Designer + Director,
Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge
Paul Drake
Paul is the designer and construction leader of the farm animal houses and infrastructure at the Refuge, where he is helping pioneer a new process of animal-centered design. He splits his time working at Hobbs Architects and volunteering at the Refuge. Paul received a bachelors from Oberlin College and a Master’s of Architecture from NC State University where he received the Kamphoefner and Catalano Scholarships for outstanding design work. He has a passion for designing sustainable structures that can improve the lives of animals.
Editor
Chelsea Jackson
Chelsea is an award-winning film editor with a passion for telling stories about social justice and the natural world. Among her credits are The Love Bugs, the 2021 Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Short Documentary, and films on National Geographic, PBS, Hulu, Starz, and Peacock.
Cinematographer
Joseph Brunette
Joe is an award-winning cinematographer whose work has appeared on National Geographic, CNN, NOVA, PBS, Nature, Discovery and History. Beyond the Farm holds special meaning for Brunette, who has long been an advocate for animal welfare and the environment.
Cinematographer
Robert Gourley
An Emmy Award-winning cinematographer based in Brooklyn, Rob attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked as a staff video journalist at the Los Angeles Times before moving on to freelance projects. His work has been featured on Hulu, HBO Max, PBS NewsHour, NOVA, and CuriosityStream.
Cinematographer
Kelly Guerin-Buckley
Kelly is a video producer based in Durham, NC who has worked with NGOs and media agencies worldwide to tell the stories of farmed animal welfare. Her videos and photography have been used in campaigns for new animal welfare legislation and have been featured on HBO, The Guardian, NowThis, NPR, and Visa Pour L'Image.
Cinematographer
Thomas Machowicz
As a photographer and filmmaker, Tommy focuses on animal rescue efforts and social issues. He is working on a long-term project, “Sanctuary,” which documents animals and the people who rescue them worldwide. He is also the owner of Songbird Productions.
Cinematographer
Jennifer Yingling
Jenn is a cinematographer and editor with an M.A. in film & TV from Savannah College of Art & Design. She enjoys being able to combine her love of animals and her passion for documentary filmmaking to create compelling stories that shed light on powerful issues.
Cinematographer
Josh Steadman
Josh is portrait, editorial and commercial director and photographer. The son of a newspaperman and a teacher, Josh inherited a love of learning and telling stories. Based in North Carolina, he covers subjects as diverse as BBC StoryWorks and Volvo Trucks.
Second Camera & Sound
Jordan Daniel Mills
Jordan Daniel Mills is an audio/visual storyteller who is endlessly curious and totally uncertain about the meaning of life, except that we might make it better for each other while we're here.
Second Camera
Dylan Muckerman
Dylan is a volunteer at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge who works on construction, animal care, art, photography, video, fundraising, and more. They love all animals, especially chickens.
Assistant Editor
Miranda Wolno
Miranda is an editor and producer with a Masters in Film & Television from Savannah College of Art & Design. She is passionate about documentary filmmaking and its power to share everyone’s voice—including nonhumans.
Social Media Producer
Michelle Neff
Michelle is a writer and a social media marketing strategist with a dedication to animal rights advocacy. She manages the social media accounts for ArgoFilms' previous award-winning film, The Last Pig.
Marketing & Distribution Producer
Jamie Berger
Jamie is a filmmaker and activist from North Carolina. Her first feature documentary, The Smell of Money, followed an NC community's fight against the world's largest pork company and its deadly pollution. Throughout her career, Jamie has used writing and visual storytelling to advocate for a more just and sustainable food system.
A few of our stars...
Coretta
Coretta was rescued from a farm operating as a backyard butcher. When the owner was shut down for animal abuse, nearly 200 starving and sick animals were rescued. Coretta and her flock arrived six years ago and began the healing process after years of cruelty. She quickly established herself as the leader of the flock.
Percy
Percy was living as a backyard rooster and wandering in a wooded area when his leg was caught in a fox trap. Sadly the injuries were very serious and ultimately cost him his leg. But this has not slowed Percy down! At the Refuge he will have life long care, a possible prosthetic, a flock, and a very bright future.
Eliot
Eliot was found wandering homeless and picked up by a local animal shelter. As a very headstrong goat, Eliot quickly became the new leader
of his herd. He lives in the Refuge’s largest goat herd and enjoys bossing around his eight buddies. He's very affectionate towards humans but will let you know who’s boss!