Sundance Institute has announced the 2024 Directors, Screenwriters, and Native Labs fellows.
The Native Lab takes place in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 29–May 4 and will support four fellows and two artists in residence. The Lab focuses on centring Indigeneity in the storytelling of participants from Native and Indigenous backgrounds and will work on feature film and episodic scripts through one-on-one feedback sections and roundtable discussions with advisors.
The fellows are: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (writer-director) with Hum (Phil-usa); Ryland Walker Knight (writer-director) with The Lip Of The World (USA); Charine Pilar Gonzales (writer-director) with Ndn Time (USA...
The Native Lab takes place in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 29–May 4 and will support four fellows and two artists in residence. The Lab focuses on centring Indigeneity in the storytelling of participants from Native and Indigenous backgrounds and will work on feature film and episodic scripts through one-on-one feedback sections and roundtable discussions with advisors.
The fellows are: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (writer-director) with Hum (Phil-usa); Ryland Walker Knight (writer-director) with The Lip Of The World (USA); Charine Pilar Gonzales (writer-director) with Ndn Time (USA...
- 4/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Outfest Fusion, LA nonprofit Outfest‘s film festival dedicated to queer Bipoc storytelling, has unveiled the full lineup of films for its 20th anniversary festival.
10 features, 93 short films, and four TV presentations will screen during the March festival in Los Angeles, including Sundance documentaries “Little Richard: I Am Everything” and “The Stroll.” Documentary “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn,” produced by Xpedition and Al Roker, and featuring Lee Daniels, will make its North American premiere during the festival; in total, 23 films will make world premieres, five will make their U.S. premiere, four their international premieres, and three their North American premieres. Over half of all films were directed by women, non-binary, two spirit, or gender-nonconforming filmmakers.
“We are at a moment where our industry is ready to have an honest dialogue about inclusion, investment and representation of people of color and yet our entire LGBTQ+ population is facing a...
10 features, 93 short films, and four TV presentations will screen during the March festival in Los Angeles, including Sundance documentaries “Little Richard: I Am Everything” and “The Stroll.” Documentary “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn,” produced by Xpedition and Al Roker, and featuring Lee Daniels, will make its North American premiere during the festival; in total, 23 films will make world premieres, five will make their U.S. premiere, four their international premieres, and three their North American premieres. Over half of all films were directed by women, non-binary, two spirit, or gender-nonconforming filmmakers.
“We are at a moment where our industry is ready to have an honest dialogue about inclusion, investment and representation of people of color and yet our entire LGBTQ+ population is facing a...
- 3/15/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
The Sundance Institute has named the participants and projects set for the 2023 editions of a pair of its flagship programs: the Screenwriters Lab and Screenwriters Intensive.
Lab participants will include Joseph Sackett (Cross Pollination), Sean Wang (Dìdi (弟弟)), Abinash Bikram Shah (Elephants in the Fog), Gabriela Ortega (Huella), Walter Thompson-Hernández (If I Go Will They Miss Me), Hadas Ayalon (In a Minute You’ll Be Gone), Bernardo Cubría, John Hibey & Joshua Penn Soskin (Kill Yr Idols), Dania Bdeir & Bane Fakih (Pigeon Wars), Rashad Frett & Lin Que Ayoung (Ricky), Farida Zahran (The Leftover Ladies), Masami Kawai (Valley of the Tall Grass) and Audrey Rosenberg (Wild Animals).
Those set for the Intensive are Keisha Rae Witherspoon & Jason Fitzroy Jeffers (Arc), Shireen Alihaji (Blue Veil), Spencer Cook & Parker Smith (Lame), Jesahel Newton-Bernal (Leche), Cynthia Lowen (Light Mass Energy), Rebin Zangana (Qareen), David Liu (Santa Anita), Urvashi Pathania (Skin), Ciara Leina`ala Lacy (Untitled...
Lab participants will include Joseph Sackett (Cross Pollination), Sean Wang (Dìdi (弟弟)), Abinash Bikram Shah (Elephants in the Fog), Gabriela Ortega (Huella), Walter Thompson-Hernández (If I Go Will They Miss Me), Hadas Ayalon (In a Minute You’ll Be Gone), Bernardo Cubría, John Hibey & Joshua Penn Soskin (Kill Yr Idols), Dania Bdeir & Bane Fakih (Pigeon Wars), Rashad Frett & Lin Que Ayoung (Ricky), Farida Zahran (The Leftover Ladies), Masami Kawai (Valley of the Tall Grass) and Audrey Rosenberg (Wild Animals).
Those set for the Intensive are Keisha Rae Witherspoon & Jason Fitzroy Jeffers (Arc), Shireen Alihaji (Blue Veil), Spencer Cook & Parker Smith (Lame), Jesahel Newton-Bernal (Leche), Cynthia Lowen (Light Mass Energy), Rebin Zangana (Qareen), David Liu (Santa Anita), Urvashi Pathania (Skin), Ciara Leina`ala Lacy (Untitled...
- 1/13/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Leading job site Indeed, Emmy winner Lena Waithe and her company Hillman Grad Productions have today named Cara Lawson, Gbenga Komolafe, Georgia Fu, Jalmer Caceres, Justin Floyd, Leon Cheo, Shanrica Evans, Tara Motamedi, Travis Wood and Urvashi Pathania as the 10 filmmakers selected for the second edition of their Rising Voices program.
Indeed: Rising Voices was created to uncover, invest in and share stories created by Bipoc filmmakers across the U.S. Executives from Hillman Grad Productions, Indeed and Ventureland selected participants’ screenplays from a pool of 900 submissions. Each will be given a production budget of $100,000 to create a short film of less than 15 minutes in length, which will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. Their journey with Rising Voices will see them receive access to a crew through Hillman Grad and 271 Films, and a $10,000 writing and directing fee, as well as mentorship from Waithe and other filmmakers including Calmatic,...
Indeed: Rising Voices was created to uncover, invest in and share stories created by Bipoc filmmakers across the U.S. Executives from Hillman Grad Productions, Indeed and Ventureland selected participants’ screenplays from a pool of 900 submissions. Each will be given a production budget of $100,000 to create a short film of less than 15 minutes in length, which will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. Their journey with Rising Voices will see them receive access to a crew through Hillman Grad and 271 Films, and a $10,000 writing and directing fee, as well as mentorship from Waithe and other filmmakers including Calmatic,...
- 2/24/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions and Indeed have announced the 10 filmmakers selected for season two of Rising Voices, their initiative to support the work of filmmakers of color.
Established last February, the program provides resources for Bipoc filmmakers across the United States to create a short film that will premiere at the Tribeca Festival, planned for June 8-19 in New York City.
“Indeed’s Rising Voices not only levels the playing field for Bipoc creators in Hollywood by creating opportunities for individuals to be seen, heard and represented, but also empowers the next generation of storytellers, providing access to funding, on-site skill, career development and mentorship,” Waithe said in a statement. “Our continued mission at Hillman Grad Productions is to ensure that program mentees are truly set up for success as they continue to grow within their individual careers.”
The ten selected filmmaker teams for the 2022 edition of Rising Voices are Cara Lawson,...
Established last February, the program provides resources for Bipoc filmmakers across the United States to create a short film that will premiere at the Tribeca Festival, planned for June 8-19 in New York City.
“Indeed’s Rising Voices not only levels the playing field for Bipoc creators in Hollywood by creating opportunities for individuals to be seen, heard and represented, but also empowers the next generation of storytellers, providing access to funding, on-site skill, career development and mentorship,” Waithe said in a statement. “Our continued mission at Hillman Grad Productions is to ensure that program mentees are truly set up for success as they continue to grow within their individual careers.”
The ten selected filmmaker teams for the 2022 edition of Rising Voices are Cara Lawson,...
- 2/24/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Lena Waithe and Rishi Rajani’s development and production company Hillman Grad Productions has announced the return of its mentorship lab which offers support and opportunities to marginalized creatives.
The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab is an 8-month, tuition-free program that offers mentees the opportunity to enhance their creative skillset through personalized instruction from industry professionals, creating additional pathways to bring more people from diverse backgrounds into the entertainment industry.
As part of the program, mentees will participate in a variety of workshops, educational resources, professional development, and networking opportunities for a cohort of diverse writers, actors, and aspiring creative executives.
Tracks include television writing, screen acting, and executive development, instructed by Carolyn Michelle Smith (co-director of Acting Track), Behzad Dabu (co-director of Acting Track), and Michael Svoboda (director of Writing Track), among others.
Participants will also have the opportunity to work with and directly interact with notable actors, directors, casting directors,...
The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab is an 8-month, tuition-free program that offers mentees the opportunity to enhance their creative skillset through personalized instruction from industry professionals, creating additional pathways to bring more people from diverse backgrounds into the entertainment industry.
As part of the program, mentees will participate in a variety of workshops, educational resources, professional development, and networking opportunities for a cohort of diverse writers, actors, and aspiring creative executives.
Tracks include television writing, screen acting, and executive development, instructed by Carolyn Michelle Smith (co-director of Acting Track), Behzad Dabu (co-director of Acting Track), and Michael Svoboda (director of Writing Track), among others.
Participants will also have the opportunity to work with and directly interact with notable actors, directors, casting directors,...
- 1/27/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Applications are now open for Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions’ second annual mentorship lab, which provides opportunities for Bipoc creatives in TV and film.
The development and production company founded by Waithe and Rishi Rajani is again presenting the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab, an eight-month tuition-free program focused on helping marginalized storytellers connect, grow and accelerate their entertainment careers.
In its second year, the lab will be spearheaded by program director Lacy Wright and program advisor Justin Riley, who will handle day-to-day operations under the direction of Hillman Grad CEO Waithe, president of TV and film Rajani and chief operating officer Ericka Pittman.
“Since the inception of Hillman Grad, it has been our ultimate goal to break down barriers to entry into Hollywood for new and diverse artists, while also ensuring they are paid for their art,” the Hillman Grad executive team stated.
“The program was built around the...
The development and production company founded by Waithe and Rishi Rajani is again presenting the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab, an eight-month tuition-free program focused on helping marginalized storytellers connect, grow and accelerate their entertainment careers.
In its second year, the lab will be spearheaded by program director Lacy Wright and program advisor Justin Riley, who will handle day-to-day operations under the direction of Hillman Grad CEO Waithe, president of TV and film Rajani and chief operating officer Ericka Pittman.
“Since the inception of Hillman Grad, it has been our ultimate goal to break down barriers to entry into Hollywood for new and diverse artists, while also ensuring they are paid for their art,” the Hillman Grad executive team stated.
“The program was built around the...
- 1/27/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (Laapff), presented annually by Visual Communications (Vc), today announced the first set of films that will screen as part of the 37th edition of the Festival, which will be a hybrid event taking place virtually and in person at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area from September 23 to October 2, 2021.
The Festival will open on Thursday, September 23 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center’s Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles with the Los Angeles premiere of Ann Kaneko’s Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust, a poetic look at the unexpected alliance formed by Native Americans, Japanese American WWII incarcerees, and environmentalists to defend their land and water from Los Angeles.
“Visual Communications looks forward to sharing the stories that intersect and converge movements such as Manzanar, Diverted,” says Francis Cullado, Executive Director of Visual Communications. “From emerging to established filmmakers,...
The Festival will open on Thursday, September 23 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center’s Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles with the Los Angeles premiere of Ann Kaneko’s Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust, a poetic look at the unexpected alliance formed by Native Americans, Japanese American WWII incarcerees, and environmentalists to defend their land and water from Los Angeles.
“Visual Communications looks forward to sharing the stories that intersect and converge movements such as Manzanar, Diverted,” says Francis Cullado, Executive Director of Visual Communications. “From emerging to established filmmakers,...
- 8/28/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Three finalists for HBO’s fifth annual Asian Pacific American Visionaries short film competition have been announced, and include filmmakers Jess X. Snow (Little Sky), Jesse Gi (Neh), and Urvashi Pathania (Unmothered).
HBO said the three films exemplify this year’s competition theme of “Taking the Lead.” The film competition showcases cinematic storytellers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, and the finalists were selected from hundreds of submissions and judged by a panel of HBO executives, industry leaders and fellow APA filmmakers.
The three winning filmmakers will premiere their films during the 2021 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, presented by Visual Communications, on Saturday, September 25. In addition to the festival premiere, HBO Max will debut the films on September 27.
Snow is a non-binary film director, artist, poet and community arts educator who creates queer Asian immigrant stories that transcend borders, binaries and time. Gi is a second generation Korean-American writer...
HBO said the three films exemplify this year’s competition theme of “Taking the Lead.” The film competition showcases cinematic storytellers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, and the finalists were selected from hundreds of submissions and judged by a panel of HBO executives, industry leaders and fellow APA filmmakers.
The three winning filmmakers will premiere their films during the 2021 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, presented by Visual Communications, on Saturday, September 25. In addition to the festival premiere, HBO Max will debut the films on September 27.
Snow is a non-binary film director, artist, poet and community arts educator who creates queer Asian immigrant stories that transcend borders, binaries and time. Gi is a second generation Korean-American writer...
- 8/4/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO announced Tuesday that Urvashi Pathania, Jesse Gi and Jess X. Snow are the three finalists of the fifth annual Asian Pacific American Visionaries, a short film competition which showcases cinematic storytellers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The finalists were selected from hundreds of submissions and were judged by a panel of HBO executives, industry leaders and fellow APA filmmakers.
Each winning film — Pathania’s “Unmothered,” Gi’s “Neh” and Snow’s “Little Sky” — embodied this year’s competition theme, “Taking the Lead,” through their storytelling and narrative arcs.
Pathania’s “Unmothered” follows an Indian American woman is forced to go back to “the old country” to scatter her mother’s ashes. There, she uncovers more about the family she took for granted and the secrets they hold close to them.
Gi’s “Neh” is centered on a young Korean American on a date, who attempts to hide an embarrassing secret.
Each winning film — Pathania’s “Unmothered,” Gi’s “Neh” and Snow’s “Little Sky” — embodied this year’s competition theme, “Taking the Lead,” through their storytelling and narrative arcs.
Pathania’s “Unmothered” follows an Indian American woman is forced to go back to “the old country” to scatter her mother’s ashes. There, she uncovers more about the family she took for granted and the secrets they hold close to them.
Gi’s “Neh” is centered on a young Korean American on a date, who attempts to hide an embarrassing secret.
- 8/3/2021
- by Aarohi Sheth
- The Wrap
Creative Artists Agency announced on Tuesday that the sixth edition of their Moebius Film Festival will take place June 9-10.
The two-day virtual screening series, spotlighting diverse graduate filmmakers, will welcome talent from AFI, CalArts, UCLA, USC and Chapman University. 12 directors will be represented, from six countries.
Their live-action and animated programming will be livestreamed on the 9th and 10th beginning at 6:30 p.m. Pst. As has been the case in past years, CAA agents will be on hand for the event, to mentor the filmmakers. Professionals from various major agencies, management companies, production companies, studios, networks and streamers are expected to be in attendance, as well.
CAA Moebius was founded in 2015 by then-trainees and now CAA Motion Picture agents Christina Chou, Zach Kaplan, and Pete Stein, in concert with Lingie Park. The festival is produced through a collaboration of colleagues across CAA’s Motion Pictures department. Its notable...
The two-day virtual screening series, spotlighting diverse graduate filmmakers, will welcome talent from AFI, CalArts, UCLA, USC and Chapman University. 12 directors will be represented, from six countries.
Their live-action and animated programming will be livestreamed on the 9th and 10th beginning at 6:30 p.m. Pst. As has been the case in past years, CAA agents will be on hand for the event, to mentor the filmmakers. Professionals from various major agencies, management companies, production companies, studios, networks and streamers are expected to be in attendance, as well.
CAA Moebius was founded in 2015 by then-trainees and now CAA Motion Picture agents Christina Chou, Zach Kaplan, and Pete Stein, in concert with Lingie Park. The festival is produced through a collaboration of colleagues across CAA’s Motion Pictures department. Its notable...
- 6/9/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mentorship Matters, an initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for emerging writers of color, has been officially unveiled, along with the participants in its inaugural 2021-22 cycle.
Developed by executive producers/showrunners, including Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Raelle Tucker, Gianna Sobol (Counterpart) and Melinda Hsu Taylor with sponsorship by AMC Networks, Amazon, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the year-long mentorship program provides consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. The first set of pairings will connect 23 leading showrunners with promising mentees to foster growth and build invaluable industry contacts.
The program includes meeting at least monthly in addition to offering guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample, panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals, and opportunities to meet agents, managers, and executives.
Mentees were selected from over 1,200 applicants throughout the U.S., with varying experiences and backgrounds.
Developed by executive producers/showrunners, including Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Raelle Tucker, Gianna Sobol (Counterpart) and Melinda Hsu Taylor with sponsorship by AMC Networks, Amazon, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the year-long mentorship program provides consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. The first set of pairings will connect 23 leading showrunners with promising mentees to foster growth and build invaluable industry contacts.
The program includes meeting at least monthly in addition to offering guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample, panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals, and opportunities to meet agents, managers, and executives.
Mentees were selected from over 1,200 applicants throughout the U.S., with varying experiences and backgrounds.
- 4/29/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles public broadcaster Kcet has confirmed the episodic lineup for its 21st annual “Fine Cut Festival,” which features short films from Southern California student filmmakers.
Finalists will air on Kcet every Wednesday at 10 p.m. starting Sept. 30, followed by every Thursday at 11 p.m. nationally on LinkTV, starting Oct. 1. Over 400 films were submitted during May and June from filmmakers enrolled in 40 Southern California schools; finalists were chosen in the categories of documentary, animation and narrative shorts (under 25 minutes).
Winners in each of the three categories will be announced during a pre-taped virtual awards ceremony event on Sept. 29. Prizes are valued at between $2,500 and $10,000, with one student also selected for The Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award — which sends them to the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker showcase at the Cannes International Film Festival next May (pending travel restrictions).
Finalists and winners in each category were chosen by judges including...
Finalists will air on Kcet every Wednesday at 10 p.m. starting Sept. 30, followed by every Thursday at 11 p.m. nationally on LinkTV, starting Oct. 1. Over 400 films were submitted during May and June from filmmakers enrolled in 40 Southern California schools; finalists were chosen in the categories of documentary, animation and narrative shorts (under 25 minutes).
Winners in each of the three categories will be announced during a pre-taped virtual awards ceremony event on Sept. 29. Prizes are valued at between $2,500 and $10,000, with one student also selected for The Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award — which sends them to the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker showcase at the Cannes International Film Festival next May (pending travel restrictions).
Finalists and winners in each category were chosen by judges including...
- 9/5/2020
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
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