TV Caucus splits $31,000 among five collegians By Kimberly Speight The Caucus for Television Producers, Writers & Directors Foundation said Wednesday that it has chosen five student filmmakers to receive a total of $31,000 in grants. The foundation also has announced the establishment of a student-mentoring program. The grant program is designed to assist students in completing their films. The five recipients who hail from diverse backgrounds, are Vashti Anderson of New York University for his film “Jeffrey’s Calypso,” Blythe Frank of Columbia University for “The Kindness of Strangers,” Eli Akira Kaufman of UCLA for “Winning the Peace,” Brian David Azaarte Risdon of the University of Cincinnati, “Living in Technicolor,” and Eric Wostenberg of USC for “Sacrifice.” “We are proud to offer this awards program designed to help aspiring filmmakers who might not otherwise have the funds available to finish their projects,” foundation president Chuck Fries said. “Each film tackles a serious issue and the slate of films covers a broad spectrum of diversity.” The caucus foundation’s mentoring program, which was established for recipients of the foundation’s grants, will provide student filmmakers with hands-on expertise from professional producers, writers and directors as the students complete their films. Mentors include producers David Gerber, Leonard Hill and Bonny Dore, writer-producer Greg Strangis and writer-producer-director Lionel Chetwynd. The program will be headed by writer William Blinn and producer Holly Harter, who serve on the foundations board. The caucus foundation, which has awarded more than $200,000 in financial grants to 34 students since the program’s inception in 2001, aims to “help combat the lack of diversity in content and people behind the camera in the entertainment industry.” It’s funded primarily from the proceeds of the caucus’ annual black-tie dinner as well as grants from Microsoft, Hollywood Charities Foundation, American Video Group and the caucus. Caucus Foundation
 
Grants
Best Student Film    
TV Caucus splits $31,000 among five collegians
By Kimberly Speight

The Caucus for Television Producers, Writers & Directors Foundation said Wednesday that it has chosen five student filmmakers to receive a total of $31,000 in grants. The foundation also has announced the establishment of a student-mentoring program. The grant program is designed to assist students in completing their films. The five recipients who hail from diverse backgrounds, are Vashti Anderson of New York University for his film “Jeffrey’s Calypso,” Blythe Frank of Columbia University for “The Kindness of Strangers,” Eli Akira Kaufman of UCLA for “Winning the Peace,” Brian David Azaarte Risdon of the University of Cincinnati, “Living in Technicolor,” and Eric Wostenberg of USC for “Sacrifice.” “We are proud to offer this awards program designed to help aspiring filmmakers who might not otherwise have the funds available to finish their projects,” foundation president Chuck Fries said. “Each film tackles a serious issue and the slate of films covers a broad spectrum of diversity.” The caucus foundation’s mentoring program, which was established for recipients of the foundation’s grants, will provide student filmmakers with hands-on expertise from professional producers, writers and directors as the students complete their films. Mentors include producers David Gerber, Leonard Hill and Bonny Dore, writer-producer Greg Strangis and writer-producer-director Lionel Chetwynd. The program will be headed by writer William Blinn and producer Holly Harter, who serve on the foundations board. The caucus foundation, which has awarded more than $200,000 in financial grants to 34 students since the program’s inception in 2001, aims to “help combat the lack of diversity in content and people behind the camera in the entertainment industry.” It’s funded primarily from the proceeds of the caucus’ annual black-tie dinner as well as grants from Microsoft, Hollywood Charities Foundation, American Video Group and the caucus.

Grants are now open to all students enrolled in an accredited school.

Grant Flyer
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Grant Application
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