The Team
On location in West Kalimantan, 2025
Founder/Filmmaker: Ashlei Payne
Lives: Remotely [From, Texas, USA]
Ashlei Payne, the founder of TracingThought Productions, is an award winning filmmaker and photojournalist, eager to go beyond the already told story.
After graduating from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Photography, she worked for many newspapers, and freelanced as a photojournalist until she left to travel the world.
“The people I would meet while traveling left gems of influence on my life. I constantly wondered how they gained their wisdom. Realizing the only way to trace the roots, was to live with them longer, learn, adapt, and share. Using my favorite tool: the camera, I could bring those intimate stories to life.”
From the formidable rainforests of Borneo to the countryside of Kashmir, Ashlei lives with her subjects for extensive periods to immerse herself in the lives of others and help share their stories with the world.
Her documentaries are based on local and indigenous people's points of view and presented without bias. They have won numerous awards including Austin International Art Festival (2021), Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival (2021), and Outstanding Performance for Best Director at the New York International Film Awards (2021).
Producer: Plorentina Dessy
Lives in: West Kalimantan [Ketapang Regency], Indonesia
Plorentina ‘Dessy’ Elma Thyana, born on 10 December 1996 in Balai Semandang, Indonesia, is a Dayak cultural advocate and film producer. Raised with a deep connection to her community's land and traditions, she co-founded Yayasan Arus Kualan—a grassroots initiative that preserves Indigenous Dayak knowledge by connecting youth with elders to learn about language, rituals, music, medicine, and more.
In addition to her work in education, Dessy is also a passionate film producer who uses visual storytelling to amplify Indigenous voices. She mentors Dayak youth in making documentary films that record the stories, wisdom, and lived experiences of their communities—especially focusing on how their ancestral lands, traditions, and rights are being threatened by deforestation, industrial expansion, and cultural erosion. Through film, Dessy gives voice to those often unheard, turning local stories into powerful tools for resistance and remembrance.
With five Arus Kualan schools established and 149 students engaged, Dessy continues to empower the next generation to protect and share their cultural heritage.
Camera/Sound: Derssy Julian Fernandz
Lives in: Jakarta, Indonesia
Derssy Julian Fernandz is a Dayak photographer, adventurer, and filmmaker who works deep in the wild, often traveling over mountains to reach remote communities.
He also spearheads sound on documentary sets, capturing the subtle textures of forest life and Indigenous ceremonies. His work focuses on preserving Dayak culture, ancestral food systems, and traditional knowledge passed down through generations. Through powerful visual and sonic storytelling, Derssy documents not only what is beautiful, but what is at risk. Each film is a tool for cultural preservation and a call to defend Indigenous land and rights. His perspective from within the community brings authenticity, urgency, and pride to every project.
Currently he is finishing his studies in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Sound Editor: Tyler Dawsey
Lives: Remotely
Biography: Tyler Dawsey is a seasoned film sound editor with a rich background in the music industry, bringing over a decade of experience in sound design, audio engineering, and post-production. Before transitioning into film, Tyler spent more than 10 years immersed in music—working across studio recording, live mixing, and music production for a wide range of artists and genres.
His deep understanding of rhythm, tone, and texture naturally evolved into a passion for film, where he now specializes in crafting immersive soundscapes that enhance cinematic storytelling. With a musician’s ear and a sound editor’s precision, Tyler bridges technical expertise with creative intuition, ensuring every audio detail supports the emotion and energy of each scene.
Whether shaping ambient environments or designing impactful sound effects, Tyler brings a dynamic, music-informed approach to every project he touches.
Latest award-winning film
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