Daily Inspiration: Meet Brandon Faris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Faris

Brandon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Brandon Faris is a celebrated documentary film editor known for his creative storytelling, infectious positive energy and collaborative spirit. His recent work includes editing the Grammy Nominated Peacock original doc-series Kings From Queens: The Run DMC Story, which delves into the legacy of the iconic hip-hop group, and Texas Music Revolution, featuring notable artists like Kiefer Sutherland, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Charley Crockett. Faris also brought his editorial expertise to Billion Dollar Babies, an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival, starring Neil Patrick Harris.

In addition to his work in documentaries, Brandon has extensive experience as a commercial director and editor, crafting campaigns for major brands such as Hershey’s, Carnival Cruise, Deep Eddy Vodka, and Old Spice. His diverse background includes being the 2025 recipient of the Kentucky Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship, a testament to his exceptional talent and contributions to the arts.

His role as Executive Creative Director at an award-winning advertising agency has honed his ability to collaborate across creative disciplines efficiently, always aiming to elevate the creative vision of any project he undertakes. Whether working within large streaming networks like NBC Universal or independent post-production workflows, Faris is adept and versatile.

Emmy® Nominated Director of Photography and filmmaker Troy Paff has praised Brandon, saying, “Brandon’s work as an editor far exceeds that title alone. He brings uncommon thoughtfulness, creativity, and an uplifting attitude to the filmmaking process, as well as a commitment to stepping out of the box with a creative fearlessness that is invaluable.”

Brandon is also the co-founder of The Shpg Dept, a dynamic documentary film collective. This collective boasts a talented crew of trusted independent sound engineers, animators, composers, producers, editors, writers, directors, and colorists, all dedicated to elevating the quality of any film project without the bloat and bureaucracy of a large production company.

The Shpg Dept co-founder and Emmy® Nominated director Joseph Vele says “I’ve worked with Brandon on several documentary projects. Brandon is a highly creative, resourceful, and fast film editor. He approaches each film with a director’s keen eye for detail, an editor’s prowess for problem solving and a musician’s technical ear for sound design. His energy is unmatched and I always look forward to his unique point of view when working together.”

Faris originally wanted to produce music. However, graduating from Columbia with a B.A. in Audio Engineering the same year Napster released its disruptive software was a game changer. Faris made a pivot to video editing and the rest is history.

In between the large projects, Faris shares Pocket Docs, a documentary short film project where he produces short films on his phone working within constraints. Pocket Docs are zero-budget films, shot on his phone, and edited in roughly 8 hours. New shorts drop randomly on Instagram and YouTube.

In addition to his work in film Faris continues his passion for music as a curator with his project All The Bins. Through this expression he creates bespoke playlists on Spotify, highlights albums worth listening to and promotes live events like the Album of the Month Club hosted in Cincinnati once a month.

Currently Faris works remotely out of his studio in Cincinnati, OH where he collaborates with film producers from around the country.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The freelance struggle is one that’s felt by many, particularly in the unpredictable world of entertainment. The past two years, with their waves of strikes and the shifting terrain of digital streaming, have only heightened the challenges faced by those working in the industry. In entertainment, it’s often a matter of feast or famine, and in order to navigate this, you have to be adaptable. You learn to pivot, constantly seeking new ways to apply your skills, especially during the inevitable lulls.

Take, for example, my own journey. I’ve got several documentary films in pre-development, a few others where I’m on hold to be the lead editor, but, as with much of the film world, things have moved slower than anticipated. Progress is often measured in fits and starts, and the waiting game can be frustrating. But in these moments of uncertainty, you find other avenues to explore.

For me, that avenue has been sports cards. Not just collecting them — though that has always been a passion — but diving into the world of sports card breaking. The concept is simple: I stream for hours, opening high-end packs of sports cards for an eager audience. It’s an unexpected turn, perhaps, but it’s allowed me to lean into my love for soccer while simultaneously tapping into my performance skills.

This new gig offers me a flexible rhythm, one that allows me to remain engaged and active while still leaving space for when the film projects inevitably pick up again. It’s a reminder that, in an industry built on uncertainty, flexibility and creativity are just as essential as the technical skills that first brought you into the fold. So, while the world of documentary filmmaking continues to evolve at its own pace, I’m finding my way forward, one sports card at a time.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I am a storyteller. That simple truth has manifested in many forms throughout my life: public speaker, songwriter, filmmaker, advertiser, and now, streamer. But at the heart of it all, my true craft is film editing. It’s the skill I’ve honed over the years, and through it, I’ve come to understand the profound power of storytelling.

What sets me apart is the unique perspective I bring to my work. My background in filmmaking has shaped me into someone who approaches every edit with the eye of a director, the touch of an editor, and the intuition of a musician. Each of these influences informs how I approach a project, how I listen to it, and how I shape it into something that resonates deeply with an audience. As a documentary editor, I’m not just stitching together scenes; I’m uncovering truth, giving voice to real stories, and framing them in a way that speaks to the heart.

My journey has been varied, from a decade of commercial directing to cutting commercials, music videos, and branded content. But above all, my passion has always been telling the truth. In the world of documentary film, truth is a delicate thing — raw, vulnerable, and often challenging. But I believe it’s this honesty that allows me to craft narratives that both provoke thought and inspire action. I aim to keep the content real, unfiltered, yet always compelling. The goal is to create something that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat, always wondering what comes next.

Perhaps what I am most proud of, however, is my ability to work well with others. Collaboration is an art, and like any art, it requires patience, humility, and practice. Giving and receiving feedback isn’t always easy, but it’s essential to creating something truly great. Whether in the world of advertising or documentary film, I’ve built my reputation on being a team player — someone who adds value while always respecting the director’s vision. In the end, it’s about coming together to tell a story that matters, and I’m grateful to be a part of that process.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories takes me back to countless hours spent in the basement with my brother, jamming to our hearts’ content. At just 4 and 5 years old, we already showed a natural musicality, something both of our parents nurtured by buying us drums and guitars, and encouraging our passion. By the time we were pre-teens, we’d formed our own basement rock duo, covering classic hits like Mötley Crüe’s Kickstart My Heart and Poison’s Every Rose Has Its Thorn. Those years were filled with limitless hours of playing, lost in the music, as if we were headlining in a dark, underground LA nightclub. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish, a time when music and brotherhood blended into something timeless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandonfaris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bfaris
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonfaris
• Youtube: @pocketdocsproject
• Other: https://www.allthebins.com