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Film Independent Selects Six Fellows for Second Annual Amplifier Fellowship
Social Impact
28 March 2023
United States
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Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, announced today the six Fellows and their projects selected for its Amplifier Fellowship. The 2023 Film Independent Amplifier Fellowship is supported by Netflix's Fund for Creative Equity, a dedicated effort to help build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment.
Over the course of the nine-month program, the Amplifier Fellows will receive creative support to propel a selected project forward both creatively and strategically, as well as customized mentorship pairings including with a Netflix Executive as an industry advisor, and a board member from Film Independent. Each Fellow will also receive professional coaching in partnership with Renee Freedman & Co, and financial and business advisement and coaching in partnership with The Jill James. Each Fellow will receive a $30,000 unrestricted grant to provide sustainability and/or support their creative endeavors. "The Amplifier Fellowship supports Black artists on the verge of career breakthrough with a bespoke program that includes impactful granting, mentorship and professional coaching that aims to build confidence both in their craft and in their capacity to build their business and brand," said Angela C. Lee, Director of Artist Development, Film Independent. "This year's Amplifier Fellows bring an incredible passion to entertain and create change through their films. We are thrilled to support this incredibly talented group of storytellers and help them build a foundation for longevity and sustainability through their work."
The 2023 Amplifier Fellows and their projects are:
Melissa Adeyemo, Producer Melissa is a Nigerian American producer and the founder of US production company, Ominira Studios. Her first feature, Eyimofe, premiered at the 2020 Berlinale. The film can be viewed on the Criterion Collection, HBO Max, and Amazon International. Eyimofe won five African Movie Academy Awards and was nominated for an NAACP Award. Dusty & Stones, her first documentary feature, premiered at Doc NYC 2022. Melissas career started with Spike Lees Inside Man and Steven Spielbergs Munich. Melissa is a 2022 BAFTA Breakthrough fellow and 2023 EAVE Fellow. Melissa has an MBA from NYU Stern and a B.A. from Columbia University. In My Father's House Fiction Feature in Development Logline: In My Fathers House follows Anna (nee Anike), a disillusioned millennial quietly battling grief after the expected loss of her mother. She arrives in Lagos, Nigeria, from the United States to reconnect with her estranged father and unexpectedly discovers new life and purpose.
Sue-Ellen Chitunya, Producer Sue-Ellen Chitunya is a filmmaker from Zimbabwe. She is a 2019 Georgia State University 40 under 40 honoree and a graduate of the UCLA professional producing program. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. An Ebert, Chitunya has participated in various artist development programs including: WIF Emerging Producer Program, Film Independent Producing Lab, and Industry Academy. Her shorts have screened at various festivals including Rotterdam, BFI London, and Tribeca. She recently produced the feature documentary, For Tomorrow, available on Amazon Prime, and the interactive rom-com Mr. Right, which is available on mobile app stores. Accidental Hearts Fiction Feature in Development Logline: A closeted lesbian realizes she's about to lose her best friend, the love of her life, so she devises a master plan to win her back before the upcoming Christmas wedding.
David Fortune, Writer/Director A graduate of Morehouse College and LMU School of Film and Television, David Fortune finds purpose in capturing the themes of intimacy based in inner-city environments. As a result, he has collaborated with companies such as Netflix, Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, Hillman Grad, Indeed, and Options For All to develop empowering narratives focused on marginalized communities. In addition, David was named a winner of Netflixs Content Creator Program for his film, Us and premiered his narrative short Shoebox at Tribeca Film Festival. Today, he works with non-profit organizations to raise awareness of individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities through documentary films. Color Book Fiction Feature in Development Logline: Following the passing of his wife, a devoted father learns to raise his son with Down syndrome as a single parent. Through their journey to a professional baseball game, he fights to keep his promise to his child while healing from the loss of his significant other.
Andre Lambertson, Director Andre Lambertson is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and photographer who works as a director and director of photography. Most recently he was a cinematographer on Dick Johnson is Dead, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Andre filmed Charm City, which premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival and was shortlisted for the 2019 Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature. The film was broadcast on PBS Independent Lens. He also co-directed and shot The Whole Gritty City, which won the Christopher Award and was broadcast on CBS' prime time show, 48 Hours. Team Onyx Nonfiction Feature in Pre-Production Logline: Team Onyx is the first all-Black team to change the face of adventure sports. They are men and women in expedition racing - gay and straight - representing the best qualities in diversity.
Philiane Phang, Writer/Director Philiane Phang is a writer and director based in New York. She was the recipient of the Ammon Foundation Fellowship and IFP's Inaugural Phosphate Grant. Her deb
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