Kyle Hausmann
Kyle Hausmann, Director
Stokes is dedicated to telling the soldier’s story. Following high school, Kyle enlisted with the US Army’s Airborne Infantry and was assigned to a unit responsible for simulating true-to-life jungle and urban warfare scenarios for troops preparing for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan . The years spent there would serve as the foundation for Kyle’s emergence as a soldier-filmmaker; he filmed everything from tank missions and gritty urban warfare to the unit’s monthly paratroop jumps from US/Russian planes and helicopters. Honorably discharged in 2004, Kyle went on to attend and earn honors at ASU, UCLA, Universidad de Madrid in Spain , and finally settling at the University of Southern California .
In the fall of 2006, Kyle was accepted into the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts-Production Program. That same week, however, he also received a letter from the US Army recalling him to active duty and a yearlong deployment to Iraq . Although his film school acceptance was enough to exempt him from this nationwide recall, Kyle decided instead to take an 18-month academic leave of absence and fulfill his military obligation. From May 2007 to May 2008, Kyle served as a squad leader and convoy commander in Iraq as a member of the 1st of the 160th Infantry Battalion. For his actions under fire and meritorious service throughout the yearlong deployment, Kyle was awarded 2 Army Achievement Medals and the Bronze Star.
Kyle returned to the USC School of Cinematic Arts in August 2008 – he has been making films for soldiers ever since.
Official GIFF Selection: Kapisa and Now, After
