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
GFS NY Panelists
Discussing The Manuscript
GFS LA Panelists
Discussing Cults: An Insider's Look at Bacchanalia
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
