AFI DWW Alum Tiffany Johnson Delivers Keynote
Watch Films on AFI.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 2022 – The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that this year’s AFI Young Women in Film participants premiered their films at a showcase on the AFI Campus on May 18, 2022. The red carpet event was hosted by AFI, and filmmakers and their families, along with AFI Fellows and Faculty who mentored the filmmakers during the nine-week workshop, screened the short films in the AFI Mark Goodson Screening Room, followed by a reception.
The 2022 participating schools were ICEF (Inner City Education Foundation) View Park Preparatory High School, Immaculate Heart, Synergy Quantum Academy High School and Atascadero High School (San Luis Obispo County).
“We are incredibly proud of the young filmmakers who participated in this year’s AFI Young Women in Film intensive,” said Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and EVP of the American Film Institute. “Now more than ever, it is vital to teach the younger generation the importance of making their voices heard and the incredible impact their stories can have in moving culture forward.”
The event’s keynote speaker was Tiffany Johnson (AFI DWW Class of 2018). An NAACP Image Award-nominated director on the rise, Johnson has directed award-winning short films, music videos, a segment for Netflix’s Strong Black Lead and multiple episodes of television including DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, TWENTIES, BOOMERANG, THE LAST O.G., BLACK MONDAY, SOLOS and the new HBO Max documentary THE BEAUTY OF BLACKNESS.
In her address to the young filmmakers, Johnson said, “One of the greatest gifts I received at my time at AFI wasn’t just the lessons from my mentors or instructors, it was the love and support from my sisters who were on this journey with me. They have become my tribe. I urge you to be inspired by your sisters, support them, encourage them, and at times, lean on them. Your journey does not have to be traveled alone.”
Pictures from the event can be found here.
All six short films from the participants are now available to watch on https://conservatory.afi.com/young-women-in-film/.
Young Women in Film participants learn the art of filmmaking, with training in pitching, screenwriting, producing, production design, directing, cinematography and editing — all with state-of-the-art cinematic technology.
The Young Women in Film intensive is made possible in part by support from AT&T, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Canon Burbank.
YWIF is one of the American Film Institute’s pioneering, tuition-free efforts to empower diverse filmmakers within the AFI Conservatory’s Department of Innovative Programs, which also includes the landmark AFI DWW program and the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women. Through a range of learning opportunities, Innovative Programs serves a diverse community of aspiring visual storytellers with opportunities to build leading-edge technological, digital and media-making skills, bridge access to professional networks and place participants on a career trajectory. Read more about Innovative Programs on AFI.com.
About the films:
A LOST CAUSE
Cherry finds herself having to navigate her own depression as she also tries to communicate her feelings to her sweet Aunt Rose.
Written by
Flor Bracamontes
Maeve Keller
Ella Kim
Jackie Llamas
Hazel Navarette
Grace Ortega
Directed by
Flor Bracamontes
Grace Ortega
Produced by
Hazel Navarette
Cinematography by
Maeve Keller
Production Design by
Jackie Llamas
Sound by
Hazel Navarette
Script Supervisor
Jackie Llamas
THE CALL
Sierra, a new college freshman, is trying her best to get ready for a party that she’s going to be late to, but the only thing stopping her is a call from her Mom!
Written by
Jasmine Aranda
Michelle Hernandez
Hannah Sagheb
Sasha Williams
Yeimy Zacarias
Directed by
Hannah Sagheb
Produced by
Jasmine Aranda
Cinematography by
Sasha Williams
Production Design by
Michelle Hernandez
Sound by
Michelle Hernandez
Script Supervisor
Yeimy Zacarias
LOCKED
One late Friday night in the school library, high school seniors Jones and Blue, discover that they’re locked in with unnerving paranormal activity and they must find an escape before their 8 a.m. exam!
Written by
Abigail Chang
Rece Garcia
Lucy Kite
Jasmine Machado
Veronica Mason
Amelia Tankenson
Directed by
Rece Garcia
Veronica Mason
Produced by
Abigail Chang
Amelia Tankenson
Cinematography by
Lucy Kite
Production Design by
Rece Garcia
Sound by
Jasmine Machado
Script Supervisor
Abigail Chang
PEACE AGAIN
After Mel deals with skin cancer for so long, her friend Chris decides he will make her feel at peace again.
Written by
Carolyne Kariuki
Anna Lilly
Leslie Orellana
Alana Risbrudt
Directed by
Leslie Orellana
Produced by
Carolyne Kariuki
Anna Lilly
Leslie Orellana
Alana Risbrudt
Cinematography by
Anna Lilly
Production Design by
Leslie Orellana
Sound by
Carolyne Kariuki
Script Supervisor
Alana Risbrudt
THE SHADOW
Lilith a new lighting tech is trying her best to get the cues right, but when her grumpy lighting partner goes missing, she realizes she’s alone with a shadowy figure that may get the best of her.
Written by
Isabella Arias
Camila Deras
Mallory Griffith
Sheyda Ramirez
Delaney Rice
Directed by
Camila Deras
Produced by
Camila Deras
Delaney Rice
Cinematography by
Mallory Griffith
Delaney Rice
Production Design by
Isabella Arias
Sound by
Sheyda Ramirez
Script Supervisor
Delaney Rice
UNDER THE BED
As Mike searches for his sister Leah’s diary, he realizes there’s much more to be discovered in her room.
Written by
Sabrina Camua
Aryanna Fernandez
Guadalupe Luna-Martinez
Kitty Roche
Sophie Schwartz
Directed by
Guadalupe Luna-Martinez
Kitty Roche
Produced by
Aryanna Fernandez
Sophie Schwartz
Cinematography by
Sophie Schwartz
Production Design by
Aryanna Fernandez
Sound by
Sabrina Camua
Script Supervisor
Guadalupe Luna-Martinez
About the American Film Institute (AFI)
The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST, AFI DOCS and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community, including the AFI DWW program and the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women. AFI’s newest program is AFI Movie Club, a daily global engagement for those who love the movies. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, Twitter.com/AmericanFilm and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.
About the AFI Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory opened its doors in 1969 to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the Conservatory offers a two-year MFA degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. In a collaborative production environment, AFI Fellows learn to master the art of storytelling, collectively creating up to 175 films a year. Fellows actively participate in the entire life cycle of a film, from development through production and exhibition.
Alumni of this elite program, ranging from modern masters to bold new voices defining the state of the art form include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Aster, Sam Esmail, Brad Falchuk, Liz Hannah, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas, Polly Morgan, Rachel Morrison and Wally Pfister, among others.
