Congratulations to this year’s AFI Young Women in Film participants who premiered their films at a showcase on the AFI Campus today. 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.”
