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Fellows /
Joshua Kessler
Digital Storytellers Lab
2025-2026 Fellow
The Last Flight Out
An 89-year-old Iranian Jewish refugee boards a flight with 17 others fleeing religious persecution—just three days before the United States closes its doors to refugees. This is the story of one man’s escape, a family’s decades-long effort, and the race against time to preserve life and dignity in the face of rising fear.
Joshua E. Kessler is a Los Angeles-based showrunner, producer, director, and writer specializing in unscripted, documentary, and docudrama content. A two-time Emmy nominee, he is known for compelling work in true crime, history, lifestyle, and human-interest storytelling. His credits include acclaimed series for Netflix, A&E, and Showtime, such as Unsolved Mysteries, Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, and House Hunters International. A member of both the Directors Guild and Producers Guild of America, Kessler actively seeks new creative opportunities with a strong emphasis on collaboration.
Screenwriters Lab 
