John Monaco

John Monaco is a storyteller and visual artist based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. A senior at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in the Cinematic Arts Department and an alum of NYU’s Tisch Future Filmmakers Workshop, John is passionate about all aspects of filmmaking.

As a sixth-generation native of Arlington, Virginia, he draws inspiration from his community and urban surroundings to explore the subtleties of daily life and the complexities of the human condition. His work often reflects a desire to document the moments he was too young to capture — memories rooted in legacy, place, and family. From getting haircuts in the same barbershop as his great-grandfather to listening to stories from his 105-year-old great-grandmother about life during Jim Crow, John’s storytelling is deeply personal, grounded in lived history.

Through his images and films, he aims to foster respect, humility, and understanding by embracing discomfort and vulnerability. Now entering college, he continues to develop work that helps us better see ourselves — and one another — with clarity and compassion.