The Mission (short documentary)
Role: Director & Editor
Short documentary offering an intimate portrait of a longterm activist in San Francisco’s Mission District, exploring the human impact of gentrification and the COVID-19 pandemic. Led editorial development and editing from early cuts through final film, shaping a long-form narrative grounded in character, place, and context. Collaborated with Mission Local and Still I Rise Films to bring this film to film festivals and community screenings.
The Seed (short documentary)
Role: Director & Editor
Short documentary focused on personal experience as a lens for broader social themes. Shot and edited for clarity, pacing, and emotional restraint, with attention to narrative economy and audience engagement. This film won several awards at film festivals and brought recognition from the City of San Francisco.
Editorial Video Work — Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting/Mission Local
Role: Video Editor / Producer
Collaborated with the Pulitzer Center on editorial video projects supporting international journalism and reporting initiatives. Edited and produced illustrated videos for Mission Local with support from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, designed to accompany a yearlong reporting project and engage public audiences across digital platforms. Led online classroom discussions and projects following the publication of stories.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Role: Senior Video Editor, Translator (English, French)
Edited French-language video content for an international organization focused on public health and human rights. Worked within institutional guidelines to translate complex global issues into accessible, human-centered stories for educational use.
Testimonials
“I learned so much from working with you and enjoyed seeing your calm and patient process in capturing the essence of people when they are sharing from their most vulnerable places.” - Alejandra N.
“Working with Helene is an amazing experience! Hélène has the right distance. She is very sweet and merges into the landscape when needed or gets closer and directs at the right time. We were looking for a filmmaker's look. I think Hélène has the perfect approach. Thank you for your incredible work!” - Lise L.
“Working with Hélène Goupil was an incredible experience. She has a unique ability to highlight the best and most authentic aspects of my profile, all while making me feel at ease throughout the process. Her insights were invaluable, guiding the sessions to capture the most relevant and impactful shots. With her artistic vision and sensitivity, she brought the perfect mood to the final video, exactly as I had envisioned. A true professional and artist!” - Flore L.