Jessica

Jessica and her mentor Alfonso Pineda Ulloa discuss her film ideas

Before Tribeca I was working on an independent documentary, on the issue of AIDS Awareness. This is an issue I feel very strongly on. Entering the Tribeca Film Fellow program allowed this vision to become more attainable. My experience as a Tribeca Film Fellow was absolutely life changing. To get the chance to work, and be present in a large festival like Tribeca was amazing. Not only did I learn about the industry but I learned more about myself as a filmmaker . During the festival, I kept thinking, there is so much that I can do in this industry, what position and role could I take part in? The Film Fellows program has allowed me to continue that search. This program is ideal for youth filmmakers. Meeting and Working with professionals created a supportive and learning environment.The support you receive from your peers and other established filmmakers were very encouraging. During the festival, the reaction from many of the mentors and directors were they wish they stared this young. It has been a privilege to be in a program that allows you to see the smoke and mirrors of the industry.

When attending the screenings I was always so captivated by the creativity that poured out of the films. The two films, Pray the Devil Back to Hell by director Gina Reticker and In a Dream by Jeremiah Zagar were inspiring. Both directors tackled a sensitive subject using a unique style. They expressed the essence of pain and forgiveness to illustrate the importance of an empowering future. The passion came across so well that they were able to move an entire audience. These are the moments that will define my experience as a Tribeca Film Fellow. This experience has transcended my film making craft. I have left the program with new insight , ambition and dreams. I want to thank the three lovely ladies, Aisling, Ananiki, and Lisa for making this experience happen!

Words from Alma

My days with Tribeca were very insightful. Before hand, I had this specific look towards film. I always felt like narratives were all people would ever like to do. I felt as if working on big film sets was everyone's dream. At Tribeca, I met a bunch of other kids who were into filmmaking but had different dreams and plans. Lots of the kids there were interested in making documentaries. Some would like to work out of Hollywood. Not everyone had my exact same vision of going to film school either. Everyone was different. Being a Film Fellow thought me that there are many different approaches to jumping into the film world--being a director or a writer isn't the only thing available. They showed us paths we could take. It's just up to us, now, to make the moves in any of those directions. All my life, I've been looking for opportunities to learn about the industry. Wonderful programs like this really give all kinds of people the chance to take a step towards their dreams. Thanks to Lisa, Aisling, and Ananiki!

<3 Alma

Nikki's Time at Tribeca

I've been making films since I was little, with my cousins and a home video camera. The Tribeca Film Fellows program has allowed me to further my passion for film making. Through contact with working professionals, I learned more about how films are made, and about all the different people who are involved in this process. I loved meeting Jeremiah Zagar and Ross Kauffman, and hearing what they had to say about the art of film making.

One of the best parts of being a Tribeca Film Fellow was the opportunity to see unique and thoughtful films, made by filmmakers without Hollywood budgets, who were passionate about the stories they wanted to tell. I was especially impressed by Ross Kauffman's film, Born into Brothels, a documentary about the children of prostitutes in the red light district of Calcutta, India. It effectively told a story, at the same time as educating the audience about the lives of people in another part of the world. The film Pray the Devil back to Hell accomplished a similar task. It told the amazing story of women who brought about peace and political reform in Liberia, and also inspired its audience to believe in the power of ordinary people to effect change.

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the Tribeca Film Fellows program was spending time with the other film fellows. Every young person in the program was passionate about film, and had his or her own style of filmmaking and stories each wanted to tell. I witnessed this during our filming of Cityscapes, and through learning about other fellow's film proposals. The program allowed the fellows to develop a bond as a group, and introduced us to other young people whom we hopefully can work with in the future.

Kionn's Tribeca Experience

My experience in the Tribeca Film Fellows program has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. I still can’t believe the amount of information I was exposed to over the course of two months. Meeting people that work in the industry has demystified the impossibility of working with them in the future. Each individual has given me a piece of their own experience to help me progress towards my vision. Prior to T.F.F., advice was given to me during film shoots. I gained experience on sets, but the advice was usually given on the go. From Jeremiah Zagar’s importance of collaborating to Ross Kauffman’s personal advice about taking risk, I have absorbed a great deal of knowledge on a more personal level.

The stars of the festival are the movies. As a Film Fellow, I had the privilege to attend many movie screenings that exposed me to different styles and issues. No other multiplex experience compared to the immersive experience that “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” gave. The whole experience was great from start to finish. Before the movie even started I felt the energy of other people coming to see a film for what it is. Heavy handed marketing, big name actors, or any type of previous knowledge about did not intrigue the audience to see the film. Instead, the viewer’s curiosity and the desire to see something new are sparked by a simple synopsis.

The movie was both raw and fresh because the subject is relevant to the world today. After seeing a movie that has moved everyone to the point of tears, the filmmaker and subject of the documentary surprises the audience with their presence. A standing ovation was given without hesitation. No introduction was needed for the subject because we saw the story of her life unfold before us two hours prior to her entrance. The audience was eager to exchange questions for answers with the subject. All these moments contributed to an unforgettable movie experience.

The heart of the program is fueled by the passion for film. I am glad to have met such talented people that share the same commitment and drive for the film. For the longest, I’ve been unaware to the quality of my filmmaking skills living in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Collaborating and interacting with the other fellows has given me a better sense of my skills and potential. It has been a pleasure going through the festival with a group of talented individuals such as the Tribeca Film Fellows. The guidance of the administrators and graduate assistants made the program more fun which allowed room to bond on a personal level. It still amazes me when I think about how close we’ve all grown over the course of two months. I believe the friendships and relationships that have been started during this program will extend beyond the end of the program.

My brother said that working in this industry will allow us to see God work in specific ways. Through the program, I learned more about myself. I’ve discovered leadership skills and a confidence I didn’t think existed. Tribeca has put me in reach of everyone from P.A.’s to movie company executives. I took advantage of everything that was put in front of me. The lessons and advice that were given to me will be applied towards making my first film, “Repair”. This program has given me so much; relationships, inspiration, and hope. With the deeper insight of the film industry, past obstacles have been replaced with opportunities. Present new friendships are set to take off for success. Future Tribeca Film Fellows are going to enjoy the program as much as I have. The experience we have all gone through, will not only be a great leap towards our dreams, but will also be the prelude to our future success stories.

Eno's Reflections

Right before dinner one night, my mother showed me a forwarded email. It explained the Tribeca Film Fellows program and recommended it for me. The due date for the application was a week, so I began searching for recommendations, writing a resume and essay and finally, sending in my work. It wasn't until after I got home from a long vacation, that I heard Ananiki's voice on the message machine, telling me to come in for an interview. Calling her personally later on that night, she was delighted to hear from me and we spoke very casually; I liked this. Once I had been accepted into the program, it felt as if the movie had started. A plot and chain of events would lead us to twists as Film Fellows, surprises and a huge ending. I enjoyed learning so much about all aspects of the film world. There isn't one aspect I think we forgot to explore. That being said, my film knowledge enhanced.

I would've liked to eplore a movie set, but overall, the whole program was like a dream sequence and felt like a movie. Talking to Jeremiah Zagar was enchanting. Learning his techniques and exchanging ideas with him was powerful. It was great to see people who had the passions we had, but had developed them in so many different styles and ways. My mentor, Yousri, taught me how to be a thinker as a filmmaker, not only as a technical director. I realized through my studies what kind of film I wanted to pursue. It was similar to what Kassim did in Kassim the Dream. I want to use my ideas and creative dreams that can't be understood by speech, and translate them into film. I want us as humanity and an audience to share and understand the ideas and feelings in film. I want directing to be a therapy for me. I want to understand myself differently when I'm on the big screen one day. But until then, I'll take patience and drive to get to where I desire; one frame at a time.

Ben Talks with Jeremiah Zagar

Cityscapes

As young filmmakers from New York City, the 2008 Film Fellows have an amazing canvas to work with, which is the city itself. Before the festival got underway, the Fellows divided into teams, picked up cameras, and spent three weeks filming all five boroughs. Focusing on the theme of industry vs. nature, the Fellows explored and captured the way these two forces contrast, fuse, and define their city. After a couple weeks of editing, Cityscapes was created!

Cityscapes served as the introduction to Our City, My Story (which is the Tribeca Film Institute's annual celebration of NYC youth made media) and set the stage for the amazing 11 short films that were selected for the program. After two massive screenings at TPAC and the AMC 19th Street, the Fellows celebrated with the OCMS filmmakers, friends and family at the Chelsea Art Museum!

TPAC Screening

Our City, My Story Filmmakers Answer Questions

2008 Film Fellows!

Having Fun at the Chelsea Art Museum

And here is Cityscapes: