Inspired by the 'Wedding Brawl' of September 2023, I wanted to explore the duality and underlying inequality of this interaction. I imagined myself as a participant in the event, reflecting on how my presence might have altered its dynamics and outcome. Created in September 2023

Experimental Documentary Reflecting on what once was, I mourn for its essence transformed by a shifting landscape. Created April 2024

This is an ode to my Mom. As I transition into college, I hold with me my experience and her advice. This film serves as the personification of my mind following her wisdom while learning to find my own path. Thank you to my Mom and Dad, Mx. Limerick, Ms. B, and Ms. PG Credits Maddie Baffo - director, actor, and editor Lily Stambouli - Camera Edie Cohen - Camera Ian Kim - lighting

Created at Northwestern's Cherubs Film program. Written by: Madison Baffo Directed by: Terrell Cooley DP: Remi Edwards When a black woman meets her partner’s friends at an all-white gathering, she tries to make a good impression but is thwarted by her own suspicions and paranoia that the friends are or are not as welcoming as they seem. I intended to show the experiences of Black Queer women and the dynamics within interracial couples. I came up with the idea of this film by taking experiences and situations I had noticed within my own life, and my inspiration was Cheryl Dunye’s The Potluck and the Passion, Jordan Peele’s Get Out, and Emma Seligan’s Shiva Baby. I hope to give space for Black and Queer voices with this project. At the same time, I hoped to illuminate the complex intersection between being Black and Queer. I was the screenwriter and script supervisor for this project. It was created in July 2023 for my capstone project for Northwestern's Cherub Program.

First weekend activity at Northwestern's Cherub Program. Co-written by Zoey Xian and Madison Baffo. Directed by Dominic Landes.

Exercise for Directing Actors Class. Recreated part of the dialogue from Mom and Dad (2017). The film was created within one hour.

This film captures a roundtable conversation of Black girls sharing their experiences in predominantly white institutions. My intention with this film was to create and foster a safe space for Black girls to share their truth wholly. My inspiration was based on a conversation I had with my Mom about the shame the Black community, especially Black women, have when sharing their experiences regarding their identity. There is a culture of staying quiet in primarily white spaces in fear of retribution. I've learned over years of attending only PWIs that it is not our job nor responsibility to make ourselves smaller for others' comfort. I am so fortunate that everyone trusted me to be the storyteller for their experiences and create the safe and healing space I envisioned. The creation of this film was impactful because we accomplished creating a lasting digital space that shows Black girls opening up and sharing the burdens we often keep to ourselves. My role in this film was director, editor, and production designer. This was created in February 2023.

This is an experimental collaging piece centering around the Black women. My intention with this piece was to illuminate that we as Black women do not show up in one shape or form but in a multitude. My inspriation for this film was to create visual art without the use of a physical camera and equipment. I used Black women that I greatly look up to as subjects in this film, and I honestly played around with the structure and medium until I felt satisfied. With this work, I hope to accomplish changing the narrative and portrayal of the Black community and specfically Black women in media. None of these women are famous for the same reasons nor do they sound or look alike in their work. They are renowned because they are rooted in themselves and sharing their own unique, individual voices in whatever form they choose. I wanted to highlight the strong community of Black women in America but the diversity within that is often overlooked. My role in this was director and editor. This was created in January 2023.

This is an experimental short film shot on 8mm film. I intended to capture the clash and disordancance between past and present memories. My inspiration for shaping my film this way was Toni Morrison’s Beloved and her ability to capture the strength of memory. I aimed to capture my experience with my own memory as I grew older. My role was director and editor in this film. This was created in December 2022.