Nat Geo Thesis Film Screening | ghettofilmschool

THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL THESIS FILM PROJECT:

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GLOBAL STORYTELLERS IN ROME

About The Organization

Ghetto Film School (GFS) is an award-winning non-profit whose mission is to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers. Over the past 20 years, we've served more than 10,000 young storytellers, with outstanding education services. In addition, we've provided entry-level career support for over 5,000 GFS Roster young professionals and alumni.

GFS teaches young filmmakers to develop their voices and gives them a platform to tell their stories to the world. We’ve been able to equip them with the professional opportunities they need to build a career from their art. We partner with industry leaders to

push the larger culture forward on issues of inclusion and creativity, with the help of diverse perspectives. These outcomes are only possible because of support from donors like you.

The 2019 International Thesis Film Project

Nat Geo Global Storytellers in Rome

In 2018, Courtney Monroe ( President, National Geographic Global Television Networks) announced that Nat Geo would be funding the Nat Geo Global Storytellers, a year-long implementation of the 2019 GFS International Thesis Project to Rome. The International Thesis Film Project is a real world production experience in which Ghetto Film School (GFS) New York and Los Angeles Fellows write, shoot, and edit two short Thesis Films in an international location. Past GFS Thesis films have been shot in over 15 countries around the world, including Mexico, Uganda, Brazil, Israel, Sweden, Japan, and more.

In preparation, all GFS Fellows began writing original short scripts in 2018, out of which two scripts - The Manuscript , and Cults - were peer selected to be shot in Rome in 2019. Prior to filming, bi-coastal table reads were also sponsored by Nat Geo and Erika Film Foundation (Los Angeles) and Bloomberg Philanthropies (New York) so students could watch their scripts be read by A-list talent, and receive first-hand feedback from industry leaders to hone their scripts further.

With indispensable support from Nat Geo, Cinecittà, Image Hunters, and Delta, a week-long shoot in Rome concluded in the Summer of 2019, and the finished films were scheduled to premiere in Spring of 2020. But due to the global pandemic and ensuing lockdown, the event was postponed. We are so excited to now be screening these films virtually, with the support of our partners at National Geographic.

Thank you for helping us educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers. Our work would not be possible without your support.

Speakers

Courteney Monroe, President, National Geographic Global Television Networks

Courteney Monroe is president of National Geographic Global Television Networks. She oversees global programming, operations and marketing for the portfolio of National Geographic channels around the world, which includes National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Monroe is also responsible for all operations, including the development and production of branded content, of National Geographic Studios, the in-house television production unit.

Monroe continues to aggressively shepherd the brand through high-profile upscale original series and documentaries that use the power of storytelling to further the knowledge and understanding of our world.

Nat Geo’s expanding premium science and exploration content empire includes Academy Award-winning documentary film FREE SOLO and the Academy Award-nominated documentary THE CAVE. Monroe has launched the network’s most viewed series in history, including ONE STRANGE ROCK from the visionary Darren Aronofsky, which was viewed by 81 million people globally, and THE HOT ZONE, which became Nat Geo’s most watched scripted series to date.

Monroe continues Nat Geo’s legacy of unparalleled commitment to natural history storytelling and cinematic craft with best-in-class content. HOSTILE PLANET, executive produced by Academy Award-winner Guillermo Navarro, was the second-highest rated premiere and was nominated for three Emmys. Nat Geo will also soon be premiering an unprecedented natural
history event series titled QUEENS, that will be the first-ever women-led natural history production that spotlights powerful sisterhoods within the animal kingdom.

Monroe also brought National Geographic back to its feature documentary roots, unveiling the National Geographic Documentary Films banner in 2017. The doc film banner previously released the Academy Award ® -, BAFTA- and seven-time Emmy ® Award-winning film FREE SOLO; the Sundance Audience Award winner “Science Fair”; Emmy winners LA 92 and JANE, both of which were included in the top 15 documentaries considered for an Academy Award in 2017; and duPont Award winner HELL ON EARTH: THE FALL OF SYRIA AND THE RISE OF ISIS. The banner’s latest film, THE CAVE, from director Feras Fayyad, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2020. The network has also launched critically lauded and award-winning documentaries such as REBUILDING PARADISE, from Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, which focuses on recovery efforts following the wildfires that ravaged Paradise, CA.

Having garnered 17 Emmy nominations for GENIUS in previous years, Monroe is overseeing the next installment of the groundbreaking series, which focuses on the life of legendary icon Aretha Franklin. Monroe is also overseeing the launch of the upcoming scripted series THE RIGHT STUFF from Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way, which will premiere on Disney+.

In 2020, National Geographic was nominated for nine Primetime Emmy Awards, earning recognition for THE CAVE, SEA OF SHADOWS, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEFF GOLDBLUM, LIFE BELOW ZERO, and its digital series about COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS. This marks the network’s 11 th nomination and fifth Emmy win for LIFE BELOW ZERO. In addition, the network received five nominations for the News and Documentary Emmy Awards.

Currently, Monroe serves on the board of Makers, a partnership program for the advancement of female leadership in the workplace, and she has been appointed to the advisory board for the
Peabody Awards. Monroe’s many accolades include CableFax’s Power 100 List, Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame (2018), Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business (2017), The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100 (2015-19), Realscreen’s Trailblazers (2017) and Multichannel News’s Wonder Women (Class of 2015).

Derrick Cameron, Executive Director, Ghetto Film School NY

Derrick Cameron is a native of Chicago, IL. He graduated from Morehouse College in 2000 with a B.A. in history. He attended the Graduate Film Conservatory at Florida State University, where he graduated in 2002 with a M.F.A. degree in Motion Picture, Television, and Recording Arts.

While in graduate school, Derrick wrote and directed two acclaimed short films entitled "The Man" and "Caroline." "Caroline," which screened at the Toronto Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival, and on the RAI channel in Italy.

Derrick also produced three short films, most notably the short film "ANTS," which won first place in the comedy category at the 2003 College Television Awards and screened at the Cannes Film Festival, both of which Derrick attended.

Derrick also wrote and directed the 2008 feature film, "Right on Louise." His latest short film “Cherry Hook” is currently on the festival circuit. Derrick has published several articles about the importance of creative education for young artists.

Derrick was the Program Director and Artistic Director of GFS from 2008-2017. Derrick became the Executive Director of GFY NY in 2019.

Montea Robinson, Executive Director, Ghetto Film School LA

Montea Robinson hails from New York City, having recently relocated to California as Managing Director of Ghetto Film School Los Angeles.

After completing a BFA in Experimental Film from the SUNY Purchase School of Film and Media studies, Montea began her career as a broadcast and post production producer in commercial advertising.

Dedicated to serving young people with a passion for the arts, she is thrilled to continue this work in Los Angeles through Ghetto Film School.

Camilla Cormanni, Responsible International Cultural Programs presso Luce Cinecittà

Producer of national and international events, film festivals, exhibitions and publications to promote the Italian cinema culture in the world.

Worked with major artists such as Michelangelo Antonioni, Bernardo Bertolucci, the Rossellini's family, the Fellini's family, the De Sica's family, the Pasolini's family, and all major contemporary directors and actors.

With a special bond to the United States, tied relationship between Italy and American institutions such as The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts & Sciences, MoMA, the Film Society of the Lincoln Center, the National Gallery in Washington, the American Cinematheque and universities like: UCLA, USC, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford.

GFS NY Panelists

Discussing The Manuscript

Ed Therese, Writer

Edward Therese is a young writer-director. His script, The Manuscript, was selected by GFS to be shot in Rome for the 2019 Thesis Project and his short story, The Flatlands , was a quarterfinalist in the Screencraft Cinematic Short Story competition. He also won Best Cinematography for his short, The Big Find, at the NYC Teen Film Festival and his script , The Other Guy's Coffee, was one of five selected for the GFS Dialogue unit. Ed is now working at HBO Contractor Kunhardt Films on a documentary about President Barack Obama.

Chelsea Brito, First Assistant Director

Chelsea Brito, 21, is currently a Junior at Baruch College majoring in International Business with a minor in Marketing. She is an alum from the 2017-2019 NY class.

Through her years at GFS, Chelsea has had opportunities to write, direct, and screen her own work at SAGAFTRA Robin William Center and festivals like FFFest, interning for companies like Hiltzik Strategies, and finally ending it all with the NY Italian Thesis Project where she took on the role of Assistant Director.

Chelsea was recently accepted into the Erika Film Foundation IRIS IN program where she plans to further her growth as a creator and a business woman.

Julieta Lozano, Sound Mixer & Boom Operator

Julie Lozano is a student photographer/producer passionate about storytelling and representation for the BIPOC community.

She is an undergraduate student at NYU Tisch, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. In 2018 she worked on a globally scaled project with The New York Times called “This Is 18” as a freelance photographer.

In 2019, she did the sound mixing for the Ghetto Film School International Thesis project set in Rome. She is currently interning with The Poolhouse, where she is continuing to learn about producing and media management.

GFS LA Panelists

Discussing Cults: An Insider's Look at Bacchanalia

Alejandro Ayala, Director

Alejandro Ayala is a 19 year old filmmaker from South Central. He has grown up through the non-profit world. From OMG Cameras to Young Storytellers and finally the Ghetto Film School, he has left every era of his young life with a collection of films. Now entering his junior year in college as a Communications major, he’s excited to begin his directorial journey into a changing industry.

Katelyn Valdez, Camera Operator

Kate Valdez is a 20 year-old photographer, journalist and filmmaker born and raised in Boyle Heights, California. She is a declared Film Production major with a minor in Philosophy, and hopes to transfer to a private university to finish her undergraduate degree. Kate is an aspiring Cinematographer whose passion for storytelling bridges the gap between her many different artistic interests.

Complete Crew List

CULTS: AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT BACCHANALIA, GFS LA

Krshna Airaudi // Screenwriter

Alejandro Ayala // Director

Kian Cloma // Gaffer

Matthew Cotom // Director of Photography

Celine Gimpirea // 1st Assistant Director

Ariel Hyman // Sound Mixer

Kate Valdez // Camera Operator

Sarah Williams // Costume/Production Designer

THE MANUSCRIPT, GFS NY

Chelsea Brito // 1st Assistant Director

Jalil Frazier // Editor

Jianna Kristine // Script Supervisor & Editor

Julieta Lozano // Sound Mixer and Boom Operator

Ariana Marie Luque // Director of Photography

Jourdain Pita // Director

Sofia Santoni // Producer

Edward J. Therese // Screenwriter

Luis Uchoa Chavez // Gaffer

Behind The Scenes Gallery