The Sundance Institute and Gold House Join Forces to Champion Underrepresented Talent with the One House Filmmakers Fund Program
On January 4, 2024, The Sundance Institute came together with Gold House to launch their groundbreaking One House Filmmakers Fund program, taking a significant step towards more representation in the film industry. Aimed at providing financial support to 10 emerging filmmakers with multicultural underrepresented backgrounds, the program has the potential to reshape the narrative in cinema. By creating a platform for underrepresented voices to share their diverse range of stories, the program hopes to break down the long-standing barriers of Hollywood in favor of inclusivity.
Granting Opportunities
Made possible through the generous backing of the East West Bank Foundation, the fund will offer $10,000 grants to the selected global filmmakers. The grants will assist with the various stages of filmmaking, including development, production, post production, and distribution. This financial support is crucial in allowing its filmmakers to bring their unique stories to the screen, fostering creativity and diversity within the industry.
In addition to the financial support, the One House Filmmakers Fund Program will offer mentorship opportunities with seasoned industry professionals. The up-and-coming filmmakers in this program will have the chance to learn from experienced mentors, thus empowering the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their blossoming careers.The One House filmmakers will also be provided access to a multitude of resources such as workshops, networking events, and industry connections. This will ensure that the filmmakers not only receive financial backing but also gain valuable tools to thrive in their creative endeavors.
A New Incoming Generation
A selection committee with representatives from Sundance, Gold House, Latinx House, GLAAD, the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and RespectAbility chose the inaugural cohort of the One House Filmmakers Fund Program. Christine Yi, General Manager of the Gold House Creative Equity Fund, explains best the importance of supporting creatives behind the lens, “Communities demand that the world we watch reflects the world we live in — on both sides of the camera.” Selected because of their creativity, originality, and potential impact, the following 10 filmmakers will have the opportunity to nurture their projects throughout the year:
- Arun Bhattarai for Agent of Happiness
- Naveen Chaubal for Pinball
- Marissa Chibás for 1972
- StormMiguel Florez for Welcome To Roswell
- Jalena Keane-Lee for Standing Above the Clouds
- Sura Mallouh for Untitled Sura Mallouh Project
- Walé Oyéjidé for Chiaroscuro
- Otilia Portillo Padua for The Queendom
- Shrihari Sathe for Doha – The Rising Sun
- Julie Forrest Wyman for Untitled Dwarfism Project
One House, Many Voices
The One House Filmmakers Fund is only one of Gold House’s many collaborative efforts with Sundance this upcoming year. Gold House, alongside actor Daniel Dae Kim’s production company 3AD and TAAF, will once again be co-hosting the pan-AAPI panel, Sunrise House at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The panel will highlight multicultural filmmakers who are celebrating creative stories of diverse communities. The event will also include an inaugural dinner dubbed “Multicultural House Toast” as well as a multicultural house party co-hosted by Blackhouse, Illuminative, Latinx House, Macro, and RespectAbility, allowing creatives from various backgrounds to connect with one another. This continued partnership between the Sundance Institute and Gold House exemplifies how the collective efforts in fostering positive change within the world of filmmaking paves the way for a more inclusive industry.
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