Candace D Patrick

From the Filmmaker’s Chair 🎬 Candace Patrick: writer/director/producer of Finding JaMia’s Spirit — Winner of Best Music Placement at the 2025 SIMI Film Fest. 🎞️ Proud to celebrate the art of music placement at SIMIFF. Congratulations on the beautiful work. More from Candace’s interview coming soon. @candacedpatrick @jamiaspiritfilm Submit your film for SIMIFF 2026 ➡️ #simifilmfest #simiff #simivalley #filmfest #filmmaker

Made it up to the back of the Hollywood sign this morning for the first time - even though I grew up in LA! It was a “moderate” trek worth the journey. Some might say this was a hike, and while yes, I have shoes that are typically found in the hiking section, and a hydration backpack that was also in the hiking section, and the journey was on some kind of trail with other people in “hiking” gear… everyone who knows me, knows that I don’t hike. But, one thing I have been actively seeking more of is being in community with people I can show up as myself with, and it just so happens that I feel that community with @hikinghomiesla But again, I am not a ”hiker”! I also think, maybe, I like being out in nature a lil bit…especially when the animals in the forest/jungle/trail (they are all the same to me) all keep themselves. #hikingmaybe #community #nature #mentalhealth #hollywoodsignhike

On Saturday @jamiaspiritfilm was able to screen during a private event organized by @keishabissram , the talented writer & lead actress on @blackcakefilm . Keisha and I met at a film festival last fall, and I was so moved by the authenticity in her film and our shared themes of grief/connection. We talked about the festival circuit, and how rejections are not a reflection of a projects quality or impact it actually has. Okay, so vulnerability post for me…I needed this screening. 🥹 We had an amazing first year run. I enjoyed connecting with filmmakers, admiring craft, conversing with executives, and winning awards was fun too! This year has been all rejections so far. I got plenty of rejections last year as well, but once archived they didn’t exist anymore, lol. Plus when there are wins coming in as well those don’t hurt AS much. This vibe this year caused me to lose sight of what we’ve already accomplished with this film and more importantly, the impact it has had. This weekend wasn’t about awards or laurels. It was just an intimate space to watch films, sit with the stories, and connect. It was a mix of beautiful, heartfelt, and funny projects that I was honored to screen with. Being screened in front of new eyes…hearing the sniffles, the empathetic sighs, the small giggles, and then that round of applause as those credits hit…reminds me that it was all worth it. But nothing beats that moment at the end right before the screen fades to black and I get to see my favorite picture of my dad again. I’ll never get tired of seeing that. Hearing how people resonate with the journey of grief, and how authentic they feel the performances are, is validating. None of this would have been possible without the talented cast and crew committed to making it a success. The team that helped bring this story to life was a blessing for sure. All this to say…don’t get caught up in the rejections; they are impossible to avoid and they come with the wins. But being able to keep pushing, redirecting, and most importantly, remembering why you chose to create in the first place is a perfect way to ground yourself in your purpose. And that’s what this weekend was for me.

From the Filmmaker’s Chair 🎬 Candace Patrick: writer/director/producer of Finding JaMia’s Spirit — Winner of Best Music Placement at the 2025 SIMI Film Fest. 🎞️ A journey of alchemizing grief through the power of storytelling, and helping families and kids. 🫶 More from Candace’s interview coming soon. @candacedpatrick @jamiaspiritfilm Submit your film for SIMIFF 2026 ➡️ #simifilmfest #simiff #simivalley #filmfest #filmmaker

Season 6 of #bestpsychologyinfilm has taken off! It was lovely to open the season with a returning guest @candacedpatrick with her award-winning #film @jamiaspiritfilm . We know this is only the beginning of her success! Episode: link in bio #psychology #cinema #movies

From the Filmmaker’s Chair 🎬 Candace Patrick: writer/director/producer of Finding JaMia’s Spirit — Winner of Best Music Placement at the 2025 SIMI Film Fest. 🎞️ A healing journey told beautifully through three generations. ❤️‍🩹 More from Candace’s interview coming soon. @candacedpatrick @jamiaspiritfilm Submit your film for SIMIFF 2026 ➡️ #simifilmfest #simiff #simivalley #filmfest #filmmaker

Y’all — @jamiaspiritfilm took home the Best Music Placement award during the @simifilmfest ! This is our third award and I can’t share enough how proud I am of the music on this film and to have the team recognized for staying so in sync! Bria Adams @breefuh - Music Supervisor extraordinaire - thank you for all the attention to detail and care you put into helping bringing this story to life with music! I can’t thank you enough for the intention you put into each step of this process - interpreting the mood and emotions I envisioned into actionable steps to create some beautiful cues. You brought us the just phenomenal Vahn Black @vahnblack - Composer, Vocalist, Producer - Vahn - I’m so honored to have your once in a lifetime talent on this film! Your artistry gave each character their own musical journey — and can we talk about the clutch original song to bring everything together??? Literally, CLUTCH!!Words are not enough! Then our so talented and meticulous, Editor, Wynton Payne @wyntondonis who cared so deeply for this story and characters and was committed to the intentionally of music in each scene, down to each frame! And I will forever be grateful to the support of Jen Seip @jen_seip - Sound Supervisor - and the @westwind_studios team for ensuring every composed piece and vocal stem was perfect in our final mix!! I’m so proud of this team!! 🥹💜💚🦋 I had such an amazing time at SIMI Film Fest! TBH, if it wasn’t for @awd_directors I would not have even heard of this festival! After this past weekend I’m so glad I submitted. The festival directors Katie and Joe make sure this is an event where filmmakers are seen, heard, and their work is amplified and celebrated in as many ways as possible. Networking events, industry panels, red carpet interviews, and very intentional post screening Q&As - it was a space where each filmmaker had an amazing story to tell and everyone was exciting to experience it. I wish I could have seen more films! Definitely worth the four round trip drives! I know I’m not that far away but I work from home; driving anywhere is a commitment! #jamiaspiritfilm

In two weeks, “Finding JaMia’s Spirit” will screen during @simifilmfest in the @awd_directors block! PLUS, we are nominated for THREE awards! BIG CONGRATS to 🥁🥁🥁🥁 Marshall Norman @marshallnorman ⭐️Best Supporting Actor Nominee Florence Avognon @msaseesbeyond ⭐️Best Supporting Actress Nominee Last but not least, we are nominated for Best Music Placement!! Congrats to our Music Supervisor, Bria Adams, for kicking off our music journey as well as to our music/post team! ⭐️Bria Adams - Music Supervisor @breefuh ⭐️Vahn Black - Composer and Vocalist @vahnblack ⭐️Wynton Payne - Editor @wyntondonis ⭐️Jennifer Seip - Sound Supervisor @jen_seip Join us at SIMI Film Fest to see and hear 🎶 these award winning performances for yourself! 🍿 SIMI Film Fest  📅 Sept. 6, 2025 | AWD Block - 3:00 PM 📍 Studio Movie Grill (1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley, California 93065) 🎟️Tickets ($15) /tickets (Search “Finding JaMia’s Spirit”)

Yesterday was a vibe! We’re so thankful to @bhercdotorg for selecting @jamiaspiritfilm to be included in the 32nd Annual Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves festival. It was a full day filled with beautiful, creative, and inspirational short films - all directed by Black Women! ‼️Did you miss us? We’ll be back in Los Angeles next Saturday, August 23 for the @nfmla August Monthly Film Festival. Catch us in the ”Made in Los Angeles” block kicking off just after 8pm. Grab your tickets today so you don’t miss out! 🍿NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA)  📅Aug. 23, 2025 | 8:45 PM – 10:45 PM 📍 South Park Center (1139 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 🎟️Tickets ($15): /films/68531f60ac0ac39473318cda #bhrec #jamiaspiritfilm #filmfestival #blackwomandirector #blackfilmmakers #legacy #familyfilm #mentalhealth #losangelesfilm #writersguildtheater #nfmla

Block 3 is ready to close the show! Tag who you know. See you Saturday!