News: Project Involve

Congratulations to cinematographer Roberto Gudino and directors David Martin-Porras and Anthony Onah, who were selected to participate in Film Independent's annual diversity mentorship program Project:Involve this year.

The signature program is dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. Writer/directors Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go, One Hour Photo), Scott Frank (Marley & Me, The Lookout), writers Michael Elliot (Just Wright, Brown Sugar), Ligiah Villalobos (Under the Same Moon), editor Augie Robles (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Focus Features' President, Worldwide Publicity and Executive Vice President, Marketing Adriene Bowles, ITVS' Programming Manager Karim Ahmad, and Film Festival programmers Hebe Tabachnik (Los Angeles and Sundance) and Kathleen McInnis (Palm Springs Shorts) will serve as mentors and guest speakers for the 2011 Project:Involve class. Additional mentors will be announced.

The program runs annually from October through June, and selects filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and filmmaking tracks. Last year, Film Independent initiated an Industry Track that opened up the program to those planning to work in the film industry as agents/managers, development execs, acquisitions/distribution execs, and in marketing. During the nine months, participants will create a short film, receive one-on-one film industry mentors, access to production-based master workshops taught by top film professionals, career development training, and industry networking opportunities.

"The filmmakers selected for this year's program are a remarkable group of rising talent, and we're looking forward to seeing the short films they produce over the course of the program," said Josh Welsh, Film Independent's Director of Talent Development. "We're also incredibly appreciative of our Project:Involve mentors and guest speakers, who give so generously of their time and expertise."

The 2011 Project:Involve participants were selected based on the quality of their projects, their passion, vision, talent, and commitment to pursuing a career in the film industry.