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Home , Don Hertzfeldt, Sean Baker (filmmaker)

2019 FILM STUDIES PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS A very special thank you to Bruce Heavin & Lynda Weinman and Netflix for making this program possible.

Hi, my name is William! I’m currently a junior at University of Wisconsin - in the Film Studies program. I am also involved in the Business Certificate Program in the Letters and Science department. When not in class, I am treasurer of the Moving Image Society on campus and a humble theater associate at Milwaukee’s famed Oriental Cinema.

Lonnae Hickman is a current sophomore at DePaul University’s Theatre school in Chicago, IL. She is pursuing a BFA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Cinema and Media studies. She works in the Theatre School’s prop shop and as a writer for Rescripted. In the future, Lonnae hopes to work as both a prop artisan and a media critic/writer. When Lonnae is not watching films or theatre productions, she is usually eating somewhere and checking out too many books at her local library. Her favorite films are Ratatouille, The Prin- cess Bride, and Pan’s Labyrinth.

Rachel Ledesma is a sophomore Screenwriting major at Chapman University in Orange, California. She wants to be a writer and is most inspired by the works of David Foster Wallace, Joan Didion, Junot Díaz and J.D. Salinger. She grew up on obscure science fiction movies from the 70s thanks to her father, but loves films. Her favorite filmmakers include The , Sean Baker, Andrea Arnold and Don Hertzfeldt and her favorite movies are 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner. Eric Barragan is a junior studying at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, pursuing a Film and Performing Arts degree with a minor in Spanish and also working for the film production company FRAME. Eric enjoys every aspect of film, writing, on-set production, editing, but what he enjoys most of all is performing. He hopes to become a professional actor one day, but along the way, Eric is learning everything he can about filmmaking, both technically and aesthetically.

Olivia Ek is a sophomore at Emerson College where she is majoring in the- atre with an emphasis in directing. Olivia also studies Art History and Film Theory and Criticism, with interests in performance art and television histo- ry. Outside of her studies she is very interested in music and works at WERS as a programmer and on-air radio host. Some of Olivia’s favorite films are Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Phantom Thread, and Wet Hot Amer- ican Summer. Olivia goes absolutely bonkers over The Sopranos.

Kira Findling will graduate from Oberlin College in May 2019 with majors in Cinema Studies and Comparative American Studies. Originally from North- ern California, Kira makes media that centers the experiences of women and LGBTQ people. In addition to film, she loves baking, musical theater, and time in nature. After graduation, she will pursue work as a documentary filmmaker and journalist.

Emma Fuchs (rhymes with books) is a sophomore Comparative Literature and French double major with a Poetry Concentration at Smith College. She is a 2016 Grubstreet Teen Fellow, and represents Smith at the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational (2018, 2019). Emma is interested in film and poetry as teaching tools to revolutionize the classroom. Her favourite film genre is french-films-about-cars-disguised-as-other- things-driving-cross-coun- try. Some of Emma’s most beloved movies are Gondry’s Microbe et Gasoil, Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Chytilová’s Daisies. My name is Janie Luper and I am a senior at the University of Tulsa; majoring in Film Studies with a double minor in Women’s Studies and Creative Writ- ing. My specialties are screenwriting and poetry. In my spare time, I volun- teer at the wildlife rehabilitation clinic Wild Heart Ranch in Foyil, Oklahoma. I am based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Huron, South Dakota and a member of the Cherokee tribe. My two favorite things are my chihuahua, Twix, and hockey!

Makena Duffy is a junior at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She was born and raised on O‘ahu and enjoys working in both documentary and narrative film. She loves movies that can make her both laugh and cry and is a sucker for a good musical. Aside from working in film, she trained in acting Shake- speare for several years. Her favorite thing to do is sneak away to the beach on a weekday morning with a cup of coffee.

Shosi Hansen is from Marin Country, California. She was adopted from China when she was 18 months old by a single mother. Throughout her life, her mother supported and encouraged her to pursue her interests which contributes to her love of film and pursuit of knowledge. She first became interested in film when she saw Independence Day (1996) at age 10. Now, she is a sophomore attending Wake Forest University and will be majoring in Communications and Sociology with a minor in Film.

Alyssa Harden is a junior at Drexel University studying Screenwriting. She has a strong interest in and hopes to one day write for the same kinds of TV shows and films that inspired her growing up. Currently, she is an intern at Illumination Entertainment, where she’s learning all about develop- ment, the animation pipeline, and the lovable Minions. If she’s not writing, brainstorming, or watching Netflix, chances are you can find her snuggling with her cat or mixing original music. Katie Hopkins studies Studio Art and Creative Writing at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Her work, whether it is in film, writing, painting, or illustration centers on expanding representation in the realms of invisible ill- nesses, gender, sexuality, and mental health. With graduation fast approach- ing Katie has recently finished applying to MFA Film Directing programs in hopes of one day becoming a director and professor and passing on her love of film to the next generation.

Ana Zambrana is a proud Latinx actress who is currently a junior in the BFA Acting program at the University of Central Florida with a minor in Human- ities. She spent the past summer at NYU’s Atlantic Acting School for their six week intensive, where she redefined her outlook on acting and gained a newfound love for directing. After graduation, she plans on taking a gap year to explore opportunities, before applying to obtain her MFA. Her ultimate goal is to direct/act in any avenue of performance, but she is biased to film. Her favorite film this past season has been Green Book (which she has seen in theatres 3 times) , it almost knocked her favorite film, Whiplash, from its pedestal. Her favorite direction from this season is tightly tied between Alfonso Curron for Roma and Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born.

Molly Marcy is a student at Castleton University in Vermont concentrating in Video/Film Production and minoring in Cinema Studies. Molly has always shown enthusiasm for capturing moments, so being behind the camera is quite familiar to her. She’s also found a niche in editing. Her inspiration comes from indulging in traveling, music, films, and YouTube videos. She channels these outlets when crafting her own non-fiction works – primarily short travel stories. Ultimately, Molly is moved by film’s ability to resonate with people and the story’s ability to live on long after we do. Call Me by Your Name is the epitome of a film experience for her, landing number one on her list of favorites.

Salsabila Nurhidajat is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is studying Political Science and Cinema & Media Arts. She is interested in many aspects of the production process, and hopes to explore issues of identity and social justice through comedy or adventure films. Her goal is to help represent Muslim and Asian-American communities in media. Outside of film, Salsabila enjoys drawing, messing with audio-visu- al equipment, and martial arts. Spite has motivated my work for a long time. When I look at the film indus- try, it tells me that I am not worthy of being a great filmmaker since there’s only a handful of successful black filmmakers that are renown. It’s important to me to reach that goal somewhat to prove to myself that I can and also to show other little black kids that they can too no matter what their back- ground/circumstance is. - Kharrington DeBose

Scotlin Francis is a sophomore triple major at Southern Methodist Univer- sity in Dallas, . She is currently studying Film and Media Arts, Fashion Media, and Journalism. She dreams to one day write, direct, or even act for both film and television. She also hopes to work with Cosmopolitan Maga- zine in any way possible. She strives to make the entertainment industry a more diverse and inclusive environment and create more job opportunities for both people of color and women.

Grace Zhang is a narrative and experimental filmmaker in her junior year at Pratt Institute. Born and bred in New York, her work explores aspects of Asian-American identity and seeks to give voices to those who are underrep- resented in mainstream media. Currently, her favorite films include Rebels of the Neon God, Kaili Blues, and Happy as Lazzaro. Outside of film, she has interests in multimedia installation, virtual reality, and sustainability.

I am currently a senior at the University of North Texas majoring in Media Arts. Soon I will be the first in my family to receive a degree. My parents had hopes of me becoming a doctor, however I’ve always had a passion for film. I have found my purpose in film and want nothing more than to continue to grow within the industry whether it be in front of or behind the camera. I love accepting opportunities that challenge my comfortability and I am cer- tain that these experiences will result in personal and professional growth. My participation in industry related events have assisted me in better under- standing my field, my strengths, and my weaknesses. I plan to move to after graduation and aspire to be part of a production that inspires or impacts audiences in a special way. - Mayra Cruz Hello! My name is Jess Smith, and I’m from Atlanta, Georgia. I’m currently a sophomore studying Communication and Theology at Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. When I’m not working, I’m usually watching movies or writing film criticisms for my school newspaper. As an aspiring , some of my favorite films include Casablanca, Lady Bird, and Chinatown. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and the chance to engage with industry professionals!

Grace Wood is a senior in Film and Media Studies at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. She recently completed an internship with Kansas City Women in Film and Television. She is interested in working in stunt coordina- tion and spends her free time watching great movie stunts. Grace’s favorite films include Taxi Driver, Bottle Rocket, and A History of Violence. In addition to watching films and television, Grace enjoys playing the guitar, drawing, and kickboxing.

Courtney Green is a sophomore at Yale University where she is studying Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. While pursuing courses as a pre-med student, she is also taking courses in film analysis and screenwrit- ing. Courtney hopes that attending the SBIFF Film Studies Program will give her the opportunity to see that there are many ways to become involved in filmmaking, whether as a film studies major or as a STEM student. Her favor- ite films include Moonlight, Brother and The Shining.

John “Jack” Castro is a senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities majoring in Studies in Cinema and Media Culture, as well as Communication Studies. Jack enjoys both the critical study of film and producing his own works through school, clubs, and internships. In the future, he hopes to be making movies that expand people’s worldview and their relation to the art. Filmmakers Jack admires include George Romero, , , and . Shahriar Islam is currently a junior at Rutgers University - New Brunswick studying medicine. Originally from New York City, he competed as a high schooler in the short film category for the Muslim Interscholastic Tourna- ment (MIST) for three years. For each short film, he took on numerous roles behind-the-scenes as director, videographer, and film editor and placed regionally and nationally. He finds inspiration from some of his favorite works — including the TV show Lost, and the films Interstellar, Everest, and The True Cost. In the future, he hopes to develop his filmmaking skills and use them to highlight the Bangladeshi diaspora, mental health in South Asian communities, and human rights.

Maricielo Ampudia Gutierrez is a poet and activist from Northern Virginia who is studying creative writing at George Mason University. Born in Lima, Peru, she is bilingual and writes in English and Spanish, exploring the beauty and boundaries of each language. For her honors thesis, she is interested in the combination of the two and the effect of excluding a native language. As a DACA student, one of her goals is to represent the “dreamer” experience through writing and film.

John Gosselin is a current junior at Middlebury College double-majoring in Film and English. He focuses on abstract animation and Eastern Europe- an puppet animation. In English, he focuses on early modern epic poetry, including classical works in translation. Outside of class, John participates in the student government and in the community service house.

Wade Scanlan is the writer and director of Feeble, and a senior majoring in Telecommunication & Film. Wade loves all aspects of the film festival life and plans to go into film festival management once he graduates. While Wade’s main goal in life is to own a hairless cat, working for the is a close second. His favorite film is currently Lady Bird but Moonrise Kingdom will always hold a special place in his heart. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Bobby Bushell currently attends Loyola Ma- rymount University in Los Angeles, California. He is double majoring in Film & Television Production as well as Marketing. He eventually wants to work in online content creation/marketing. In his free time, he likes to watch mixed martial arts and comedy specials.

I was raised in Enugu, Nigeria with my grandparents. At the age of 14, I moved to the Bronx, NYC where I completed and obtained my high school diploma. During my time in high school, I developed a taste for captivating stories. Stories are important tools to disrupt silence and drive productive conversations. This led to my pursuit of a dual Bachelor’s degree in Screen Studies and Economics at Clark University by May 2019. In the Spring of 2018, I attended the Council for International Education Exchange (CIEE) Open Campus program in Berlin, Germany. - Chukwuma Egbuzie

Stacey Ramirez is a sophomore at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She’s majoring in media with a minor in English. She’s originally from Dallas but plans to move to Los Angeles or New York after graduating. Her passion has always been writing and storytelling which is what led her to fall in love with film. She hopes to be a writer and director for film, television or even music as its one of her other passions.