Join us following the film for a Q&A with Co-Writers and Directors Clara Lehmann and Jonathan Lacoque!

O Pioneer reckons with and redefines the American pioneer.

This documentary follows three West Virginians—a blacksmith, a seamstress, and a hospital chaplain—as they creatively navigate hardship and call us to champion the pioneer within.

Narrated by lyricist and musician Kaïa Kater, the film weaves verité moments with archival footage, poetic vignettes, and dream-like animation—as Tim Hibbs, Nellie Rose Gundersen Davis, and James Morley humbly answer their calls to pioneer a way forward.

Clara and Jonathan co-founded the creative studio, Coat of Arms in 2010 and serve as its directors and producers. Coat of Arms works with Fortune 100 and 500 brands and is a Webby, Telly, Emmy, Cannes Lion-awarded studio. The directing team completed their first documentary, Born in a Ballroom, in 2019. Their second documentary, O Pioneer, received a Cinequest Film Festival Audience Award, the Appalachian Studies Association 2024 Jack Spadaro Documentary Award, and the Rome International Jury Award. They wrote and directed the multi-award-winning animated series entitled Lullaby Theories. Their work has played at over 50 film festivals world-wide, including Cannes, Doc Edge, DOC NYC, SXSW, and Tribeca. They live in Helvetia, WV and balance their filmmaking with community service.

Clara received the West Virginia Beacon Award in 2020 for her community and filmmaking work. She serves as the chair of the WV Community Development Hub and vice president of the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization.

Jonathan is first-generation American (Cuban/Belgian) and was born and raised in Chicago. He serves on the organizing committee for Indie Media Arts South and as vice president of the Helvetia Fair Association.