SHOGA FILMS is a non-profit production and education company. We create multimedia works around race and sexuality that are intended to raise awareness and foster critical discussion

Meet The Team

Dr. Robert Philipson

Filmmaker/ Executive

A former academic professor of African-American studies with a passion for Jazz & African art. A published author and Harlem Renaissance historian, he has produced multiple films about the intersectionality of Race, Music, & Sexuality. 

Marc Smolowitz

Producer

A multi-award winning director, producer, and executive producer. Focused on powerful social-issue filmmaking in documentary and narrative genres. Amongst his better-known features are The Watermelon Woman, The Weather Underground, and most recently House of Cardin.

Pad McLaughlin

Editor/ Motion Graphics

Pad is a multi-media artist who has created work in film, theater, music and photography. Collaborative by nature he prefers to not to work on his own. A specialist in stereography he has produced numerous 3D short films. He also served as scenic designer for Invisible Site and Desert Music by George Coates Performance Works.

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Adam L. McMath

New Paragraph

Adam is a longtime nonprofit leader and arts administrator focusing on Black LGBTQ art. He spends considerable time producing multimedia for corporations; however, his passion is in documentary and narrative films.

Eric Michael Kochmer

Management and Production

Kochmer is a writer/director/producer with a background in experimental theater, mentored under Elizabeth Swados at LaMama Theatre. Upon relocating to LA he produced and starred in avant garde filmmaker George Landow’s film DIALOGUES (2009).

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HR

Human Resources

HR, as he is fondly known around Shoga Films, masterfully fulfills his function of cozying up to contractors and employees to make them feel loved and contented. Although he is a creature of few words (none, in fact) he somehow brings a feeling of well being to all with whom he comes into contact. “Required strokes from different folks,” is one of the more enigmatic sayings taped over his water bowl.

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Founder's Statement

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