About Underdog Films

"Everybody likes stories about Underdogs that overcome."
—Samuel L. Jackson

At Underdog FIlms we believe that a story properly told has the ability to open minds and affect people. We are committed to producing films that use the power of story to promote understanding, and move people to action. We work in close collaboration with a team of award winning cinematographers and editors ensuring that the films produced not only capture the hearts and minds of the audience but also draws attention to the subject matter by garnering press attention and winning awards.

About Elaine Epstein

Elaine Epstein is an Emmy nominated, award-winning producer, director and writer. She has worked on documentaries for HBO, PBS, MTV, LOGO, Discovery Travel and Health Channels, and Lifetime.

Epstein's 2003 film "State of Denial", examining the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa, brought her filmmaking to the attention of critics and the viewing public. The film premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and won prizes at a number of festivals, including Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival and the Audience Award for best Documentary Film at the Florida Film Festival. The film aired on the PBS award-winning series, P.O.V, in September 2003. "State of Denial" was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage of a Current Issue-Long Form.

In 2006 Epstein directed, produced and filmed "Mom's on the Road: An African Adventure", an eight part series for Discovery Travel Channel. The series shot in 4 African countries over a period of six weeks follows eight American mothers who have never before left the US, as they travel overland from South Africa to Zambia. The series aired on Discovery Travel in October and November of this year. Epstein also directed, produced and filmed "Gender Rebel", a one-hour documentary examining the latest frontier of gender identity; "Gender Rebel "profiles three young biological females who identify as neither male nor female, but something in-between. The film premiered at the Newfest Film Festival in New York and aired on LOGO in 2006.

In 2005, Epstein co-produced "Deadly Messengers", one of a six-part series (Rx for Survival) exploring the current status of global health. "Deadly Messenger" was filmed on location in Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, and the US. The series was produced by Vulcan Productions together with WGBH/NOVA aired on PBS in November of 2005.

Recently Epstein directed and produced "The OUT 100", a one-hour television special that delivers an inside look at the 2006 issue of "Out" magazines 100 most intriguing people of the year. The special, featuring interviews with Anne Hathaway, Iman, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Kors, Christine Quinn, and Augusten Burroughs, aired on LOGO at the end of 2006.

Other films she has worked on include, HBO's Peabody Award winning "Cancer: Evolution to Revolution", and Worldlink's series "Chat The Planet". She wrote and produced "Closing in On Cancer", an hour-long documentary on cutting-edge cancer treatments for the Discovery Health Channel and produced "News Now: Out In the Real World", MTV's examination of the US military policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

Currently, Epstein is working an independent feature-length documentary film titled "Catch You When You Fall". The film explores what happens when a young boy is forced to exchange roles with his parent at an early age.

In addition to her film and television broadcast work Elaine Epstein has 15 years of experience in public health and media education. Born in Durban, South Africa Epstein played an active role in the development of South Africa's AIDS policy through her work developing and creating some of the country's early HIV/AIDS mass media education campaigns and health interventions.

In 1996 Epstein moved to New York to take a position at Columbia University's HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, where she produced HOT'97's HIV/AIDS and STD education radio campaign for African-American youth.

Since moving to New York Epstein has produced a number of award winning health related television broadcasts, public service announcements and health education videos for HBO, The Centers For Disease Control, CHEST and Discovery Health.

Epstein maintains an active speaking schedule. She has been invited to speak about the use of media to address to health issues at numerous universities, organizations and community- based groups including the Carter Center, the Sesame Workshop, Harvard University, NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Elaine Epstein was born in Durban, South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Cape Town, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) Degree and Masters Degree in Culture and Media Studies, from the University of Natal, South Africa.