Regina Lepping works across photography, videography, writing and podcasting. The largely self-taught filmmaker has a strong commitment to youth advocacy, social and environmental activism, cultural preservation and is currently full-time freelancing in the Solomon Islands where she is based.
Regina is the co-founder, co-director and programmer of the Native Lens Film Festival (NLFF) with her twin sister Georgianna Lepping. The festival is held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, each year. The talented creative has even dabbled in acting; starring in Colour Box Studio founder, Amie Batalibasi’s short film Blackbird in 2016.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, Regina discusses her multitude of projects, how her parents’ distinct cultural backgrounds influence her and what drives her to document the stories of her people and culture.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
My name is Regina Lepping, I am a Media Freelancer/ Advocate from the Solomon Islands, living and working here in this beautiful island nation and I’m based in Honiara. I am also the Co-founder, co-director and programmer of the Native Lens Film Festival (NLFF). The first locally organised indigenous film fest here in the Solomon Islands.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I love moving images, since I was a kid, I was always captivated by storytelling through films and images. It was a hardcore passion that grew on from there, even though there are less opportunities in Solomon Islands and no support in this area of art.
Passion drives me to find ways to make it work. For the Native Lens Film Festival, both my sister and I really wanted to set up that platform for Solomon Islanders to part-take in telling their own stories, to encourage sharing and preserving of our stories for future generations. On top of all that, I think my passion for speaking up on issues affecting our communities has helped a lot in my work and how I portray messages for our citizens.
Where did you grow up and has it influenced what you create?
Growing up, my father was a leader, he was a Chief in his village also and my mother was a great supporter and always taking the risk in businesses and encouraging us to save up and push for what we want. Growing up, I was encouraged to question the status quo and push for what I believe in as well as understanding the barriers for a female.
My parents both come from 2 different cultural backgrounds and provinces in Solomon Islands and sometimes its conflicting with each other. I don’t really choose which province I identify with, but I respect the fact that, having these 2 different cultures really shape the way I see and work with different people from all kinds of backgrounds and to accept different perspectives without losing my own.
I’ve lived all my life in the capital Honiara, being able to watch TV and movies and see all these creative ways of telling stories and going back to my parents village for holidays, and listening to the oral ways of passing on knowledge with no documentation whatsoever but just pure interest and sense of belonging, sitting there in the kitchen or around a lamp or fire and hearing these stories is a strong connection, but I always have some kind of fear inside that, if my elders pass away, the stories will die with them because it is only passed orally and that drives me to understand the art of documentation in order to preserve these stories. So yes it has influenced me a lot.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been your most treasured a highlight so far?
As a freelancer, working with conservation projects is a highlight and a blessing for me. My sister and I were part of a film project called “SKY AELAN” in 2019. Its about protecting mountain forests. From then on, I love working more with communities to amplify their voices on preservation and conservation. I worked with women in biodiversity and conservation from up in the mountains to down at the sea side, its just beautiful to capture the moments and stories of amazing Solomon Islanders who are doing amazing stuff in conservation.
The best part for me is running the Film Festival, it’s all voluntary but a very enriching experience especially in meeting fellow colleagues who are documenting stories around the country. The Film Festival brought together a community like none other! We are passionate about telling our stories from indigenous perspectives and we have amazing supporters around the world too.
Tell us about your current project?
Currently, I am working on two projects as a consultant. Its really the first time for me to get really big organisations as clients so I am excited and try my best in telling the stories they want, the best I way can. I also have a personal project that is still in the research stage, it is on documenting some customs and traditions in my father’s homeland.
I love the work I do because it varies across different platforms, I do videography, photography and article writings and now I am going into podcasts as well so it is always a learning journey as well as to continue upgrade my skills while expanding my networks.
Who or what inspires your practice?
First of all, I am inspired by the stories, since I was 9 year old. When I was a little girl going back to the village and listening to the stories my late grand parents always told me, and seeing it all in my head. What if I can make people see these stories and feel it? I always thought to myself. It was a pretty far fetched dream at that time but I always believed in being part of this storytelling.
I had my first camera in 2013 at the age of 23 and it goes on from there. I am inspired by the people I’ve met and those I continue to meet. I’m inspired by the stories I hear and the unique environment of Solomon Islands. When I see a good story, I just document it.
My parents are the foundation of my career, they inspire me in many ways, my dad was the one who taught me to listen to people, understand and respect their views and find a solution through the challenges. Mother taught me how to be patient, kind and have the humility to take it one step at a time.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
At my desk, in my room, hahaha. That is where I sit to think and start fleshing out what I want to do and how I am going to do it. I have my wall filled with sticky notes on my calendar and action points, my vision board! Sometimes I feel more creative when I am with my nephew and nieces. It just brings out my childlike self I guess, haha!
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
In all my work, I want my audiences to take ownership of their stories. I want them to see themselves in my stories and feel the urge to protect their stories and be inspired and feel belonging. I want to show representation and biodiversity.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to taking NLFF to provinces this year with my team I hope! 😊 Also looking forward to start documenting my personal project and submit it to film fests. Over the years I have made amazing connections with film festivals and wonderful people working in the industry who really want to help me in telling our stories. There’s so many things I want to do but will take it one step at a time. We’ll see how it goes 😊
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
I am looking at some investigative documentaries that dig deeper into issues like climate change, corruption and the truth etc… the Netflix documentaries like “Seaspiracy” by Ali and Lucy Tabrizi or “Social Dilemma.” I would like to do that kinda stuff. I would like to dig into work that speaks up on issues that people ignore but it’s important to talk about and address.
Where can we find and follow you online?
At the moment, you can find me on facebook, I have a page where I share and write about my works and experiences. It’s called Regina Lepping’s blogs &Vlogs and I’m also on twitter and instagram: @regilepping