Sunlight filters through the trees at Deering Estate as Marlon Johnson crouches beside a camera, listening more than directing, searching for the feeling he wants to communicate. His steady voice—the kind that makes people stop what they’re doing to listen—breaks the harmony of the surrounding nature. It carries across the historic grounds not to perform, but to teach, to question, and to remind students that their stories matter, even when the world has told them otherwise.

For Johnson, a Miami-based filmmaker and artist-in-residence at Deering Estate, storytelling has always been more than an art form. It has been a way to reimagine the world he grew up in. Raised in an underserved Miami neighborhood, Johnson found refuge in the performing arts before turning to film. He now uses the medium to explore social equity, environmental justice, and the power of mentorship.

“I come from a place where I was told ‘no’ a lot, and through art it was the first time I was able to explore myself and the world around me in a dynamic way,” Johnson said.

His love for the arts began at a young age but truly developed during his time at New World School of the Arts, where he experimented with theater before finding his calling behind the camera rather than in front of it.

“I went to the University of Miami film school, and there I honed my skills and wanted to tell stories about the community I come from—the history, the people, and the places,” Johnson said. “Being born and raised in Miami, I didn’t think we had enough representation in the film world, and I took it upon myself to try and change that narrative.”

Now in his third year at Deering, Johnson is focused not only on telling overlooked stories, but also on ensuring the next generation learns how to tell their own.

“I can’t take all this knowledge with me,” Johnson said. “Passing it along is something I hold near and dear. I believe the youth is the future, and mentorship programs are very important in shaping the way you see the world. I have a responsibility as a filmmaker to pass it on to the next generation, and when I see the youth engaged, I see a little bit of myself in them.”

Johnson spends time with staff and students teaching the fundamentals of storytelling, sharing his journey, and offering mentorship. His work extends far beyond his own community, with projects covering a wide range of topics and people from around the world.

His artistic process is different every time, shaped by the unique nature of each story.

“The way I pursue stories is really organic,” Johnson said. “I’m drawn to things that haven’t been told—stories that make people stop and think.”

That curiosity and Johnson’s refusal to shy away from difficult questions have led him to some of the most complex projects of his career. Rather than pursuing recognition, he gravitates toward narratives that challenge systems and spark important conversations.

One of those stories centers on Tommy Zeigler, a man who has spent nearly five decades on death row while maintaining his innocence.

Johnson is currently co-directing a feature documentary on Zeigler’s case, not to tell viewers what to believe, but to encourage them to examine the justice system more closely, including the death penalty and the treatment of prisoners.

“Whether you believe he’s innocent or guilty, the fact that someone has remained on death row for nearly 50 years forces you to re-examine the system,” Johnson said.

For Johnson, projects like Zeigler’s are not departures from his work—they are extensions of the same values that first drew him to the arts. From underserved communities to environmental justice, his films are shaped by curiosity and a belief in the power of storytelling.

“I will continue to tell stories about social equity, the environment, and the transformative power of the arts,” Johnson said.

For the students searching for stories of their own, that curiosity may be the beginning of a world they are finally told they are allowed to imagine. Johnson encourages aspiring filmmakers and artists to remain persistent and seek out untold stories.

“Be good at what you’re passionate about,” Johnson said. “And keep asking questions.”