March dump.
Spring is always a time of endings and new beginnings and the start of this one was no different.
I let go of some projects, people, and preconceived notions that didn’t serve me any more. I’ve also reconnected with old friends, started new traditions, and stayed consistent in my peace and movement practices. What I was left with feels so right.
This year so far has been all about reminding myself that I can find (and make) beauty in my life despite the ugly conditions that exist all around us (shout out to all the evil things that happened this month 🫠). In fact, that’s the only thing that will make it better.
Every day I wake up and I choose to have a positive attitude, I choose to work towards my dreams, I choose to move my body, I choose to try to make the world a better place. The lives we live are a result of the intentions we set and choices we make. We don’t always get it right, but the key is to learn from the messy moments and embrace each day as an opportunity to grow in some way.
Hope your month was as beautiful and messy as mine.
Goodbye February.
The best moments of the month I didn’t capture in photos. The best moments were the ones I experienced completely. Waving at the 90 year old Black man who is excited to see me on my walk every morning, breathing in a yoga class with no phone in sight, spending an hour shoveling out my car and then getting suckered into helping the neighbors do theirs, listening to music in candle light, learning new things about people I love.
I had a transformative month full of magic and clarity. I strengthened my movement practice and I strengthened my mind. I had more good days than bad. What else can we ask for?
The world is a scary place right now. So what are you doing to make your community a beautiful place?
@bienvenidosfilm is taking over the @variety today encouraging folks to consider our labor of love underdog film for BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM.
“BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES,” is an engrossing narrative inspired by a true event that highlights the intricate layers of the immigration system. Oscar Shortlisted for Best Live Action Short Film and recipient of the 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, sponsored by @violadavis ’s @juveeproductions , the film was shot at LAX International Airport, and proudly features a predominantly women and 56% BIPOC cast and crew.
The film has captured the attention of the New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline, and secured the Creator Plus Flip the Script Fund award for BIPOC filmmakers.
The plot revolves around a traumatic incident involving Elizabeth, a close family friend of director Lisa Cole, who was separated from her 5-year-old son, Chris, for five agonizing years. Chris’s detention by Customs Enforcement at LAX unraveled a night of terror, and Lisa’s role as the person picking up Chris exposed her to the profound fear and uncertainty many immigrants endure.
Elizabeth and Lisa embarked on making this film to humanize the complex issues surrounding immigration, and we are grateful for Elizabeth for allowing us to tell her story.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION | Best Live Action Short Film | 96th Academy Awards
EID MUBARAK @eidmubarakfilm
Written & Directed by: @euceph
Produced by: @kamilachima@benjaminokeefe
Executive Producers: @rohimirzapandya@adamwescott@nicholascphillips@selena_moon_cat@mckenna.marsh Azhar Hameed, Farah Hameed, Jaber Muhammad Hussain
Associate Producer: @anthonyli , @meuceph , Lisa Zhang Wharton, Samina Masoodi, Shafat Qazi
Director of Photography: Arlene Muller
Production Designer: Hashim Ali
Editor: Riley Sweeney Lynch Music by: The Sketches (Lahooti) Costume Designer: Iqra Sheikh Sound Design: This is Sound Design Studio
Sales Agent: @quatmedia
I’m so excited to finally be able to share the first class of @creatorplus ’ FLIP THE SCRIPT program.
I’m honored to be producing these six short films with such an incredible group of writers, directors, and producers. And I have to say there are nearly 100 creatives working across these productions that are just as impressive.
Hollywood doesn’t have a representation problem, it has an exclusion problem. It’s time to acknowledge the cause and not just the effect. Last year, only 3 out of every 10 major films were directed by people of color. That is a result of a history of systemic exclusion and it will take Hollywood’s leaders continuing to invest in solving these problems to seed a more equitable and inclusive industry.
I read HUNDREDS of worthy submissions. I’m talking beautiful stories, impeccably written that deserve to be told. There is SO MUCH TALENT in this industry. What isn’t there are resources and opportunities for that talent when they represent marginalized communities.
There is no pipeline problem in Hollywood. As leaders we are the plumbers. We have to lay the pipes.
That’s what this program is all about and I’m excited for you all to see these stunning projects and learn the names of the next generation of BIPOC Hollywood leaders.
Hey fam. I’m thrilled to talk with adapter, director (and freakin LEGEND) Billy Porter about all of the work going into his new revival of The Life as part of the Encores! series at New York City Center. Tune in at @nycitycenter (or right here) Monday at 7pm ET to hear @theebillyporter talk about what it means to reclaim a work of art for its Black and queer characters while bringing forth the gritty, dangerous, and exciting decadence of 1980s New York City and an authentic and humanizing look at the lives of sex workers and other vilified people surviving in that time.
I’m telling you, it’s not to be missed.
Hollywood doesn’t have a representation problem; Hollywood has an exclusion problem.
Since its inception Hollywood has intentionally excluded people and stories from marginalized communities. One of the ways we see this most blatantly is in the exclusion of BIPOC creatives in front of and behind the camera.
And that matters because Hollywood doesn’t just perpetuate bias—it creates it. Hollywood controls culture; and who controls Hollywood? Primarily white, cis, straight, able-bodied, wealthy men.
It’s past time to Flip the Script.
Today @creatorplus is launching #FlipTheScript a short film fund to invest in the next generation of BIPOC creators and aspiring filmmakers who have historically been excluded in Hollywood.
We're giving six filmmakers up to $25,000 to create a short film and will support them through development, production, and festival strategy.
Our advisory board of industry experts will provide mentorship and offer one of the six finalists the opportunity to develop a feature with Creator+
This work matters for so many reasons. If you can make someone feel through impactful storytelling, you can inspire them to do just about anything. Film exposes audiences to experiences and identities they may never have encountered. It changes hearts and minds. And more importantly, marginalized people deserve to see the multitudes of their identities and lived experiences represented in culture.
I'm proud of the work we're doing to be the change and support the next generation of storytellers and industry leaders in our mission to flip the script and create a more inclusive and equitable entertainment industry.
A big thanks to our partners The Kennedy/Marshall Company, NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and Staff Me Up as well as our badass industry advisors.
If you’re ready for your shot to make a short film go to flipthescript.creatorplus.com.
