Emerging Voices mentorship program opens call for entries

The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) has announced a call for entries for its Emerging Voices Mentorship program, which offers mentorship opportunities to filmmakers of color based in Louisiana.

NOFS again received funding from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars) to support the program, which pairs up and coming filmmakers of color with industry leaders to help them grow their knowledge of the industry, hone their filmmaking skills and help introduce them to career opportunities within the film industry.

NOFS received a $20,000 FilmCraft grant — the highest level available — to support this year’s program, and was one of 37 film organizations in the U.S. to receive funding from the Academy as part of the re-launch of its grants program after taking a year off.

“I am incredibly excited that the Academy has again invested in Louisiana filmmakers of color,” said Chloe Walters-Wallace, director of the Emerging Voices program. “Through this grant we will be able to build skills, create opportunities and share the unique perspectives and diverse experiences of our talented local film community with the rest of the world.”

NOFS was one of only three organizations nationally to receive the FilmCraft grant at the highest level, according to a press release sent out by NOFS.

The FilmCraft Grant, which is administered by the Academy Foundation, “is designed to support high-quality educational programs that identify and empower future filmmakers from nontraditional backgrounds,” the press release said.

Other organizations who will receive similar funding include Sundance Institute and the American Film Institute.

“It is incredibly rewarding to garner this attention for the New Orleans Film Festival and support for our work to build the capacity of filmmakers,” said Jolene Pinder, executive director of the New Orleans Film Society. “The Academy is a long-time partner and their belief in our work to nurture diverse storytellers is invaluable.”

Last year, the program received 40 applications. From that pool of applicants, NOFS chose its final six: Ahmed Siddiqui (Bixby), Eritria Pitts (Sorry.Stop), Allendra Freeman (Black Water), Jason Foster (The Free Southern Theater); Zandashé Brown (Black Women Are); and Kenna J. Moore (Bayou Orange).

The deadline to apply to the Emerging Voices program June 26. Applicants must apply with a specific project in mind. There is no application fee to apply. Finalists will be required to participate in a phone or Skype interview before being accepted.

For more information on the Emerging Voices program or New Orleans Film Society, visit http://neworleansfilmsociety.org or call (504) 309-6633.

This article originally published in the June 6, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.