Netflix and NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ film and media organization, have announced the four recipients of the 2023 New Voices Filmmaker Grant. The grant provides $25,000 in support to LGBTQ filmmakers for professional development and creating new work. In addition, the recipients will have access to industry events and a mentorship track facilitated by NewFest, allowing them to build their networks.
David Hatkoff, NewFest executive director, emphasized the importance of amplifying LGBTQ voices, especially in today’s society. He expressed excitement about the program’s ability to change careers and lives, and anticipated the impact the 2023 recipients would make with the resources and mentorships provided. Hatkoff also thanked Netflix for their trust and support in making this program possible on a large scale.
Alongside the grant, each recipient will be connected with an industry mentor who aligns with their creative interests. The work of the filmmakers will be showcased at NewFest’s New York LGBTQ Film Festival. Throughout their involvement in the initiative, the filmmakers will engage with partner organizations, industry markets, consultants, and leaders in the field, further expanding their opportunities and exposure.
To be eligible for the New Voices Filmmaker Grant, applicants had to be LGBTQ filmmakers based in the U.S. who had not yet made a feature-length film or had a publicly distributed short, episodic, or feature-length film with an exclusive and compensated agreement. Grant evaluators, including LGBTQ programmers, critics, agents, community leaders, NewFest staff, established filmmakers, and industry professionals, reviewed the applications and samples. Arno Mokros served as the New Voices Filmmaker Grant coordinator, supporting the review process.
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The final selections for the grant were made by an external jury consisting of film and industry experts. This included Mara Fortes, the senior curator at the Telluride Film Festival, filmmaker Chase Joynt, known for works like “No Ordinary Man” and “Framing Agnes,” and Mark R. Wright, the vice president of film at Higher Ground.
The four recipients of this year’s grant are Terrance Daye, Drew de Pinto, Emily May Jampel, and LaQuan Lewis. Terrance Daye, an award-winning poet and filmmaker, has previously received the Spike Lee Production Fund and the NewFest Film Festival Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Filmmaker Award. Drew de Pinto is a director and editor based in Queens, known for his short film “COMPTON’S ’22.” Emily May Jampel, originally from Oʻahu and currently based in New York, has had her work screened at various film festivals. LaQuan Lewis, a writer-director based in L.A., has won awards for Best First-Time Director and Best LGBT Short.
According to Nick McCarthy, NewFest’s director of programming, all four grant recipients demonstrated strong storytelling abilities and a commitment to LGBTQ representation in cinema. Their work samples showcased a range of LGBTQ experiences and cinematic techniques, from narrative storytelling to innovative non-fiction and animation. McCarthy highlighted the recipients’ clear perspectives, confident visions, and their collective spirit for making LGBTQ films that are seen and heard.
The New Voices Filmmaker Grant was launched in 2021 as part of Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity. This initiative aims to create more opportunities behind the camera for underrepresented communities in the TV and film industries. In the inaugural year, the recipients of the grant were Blanche Akonchong, Livia Huang, Rodney Llaverias, and Nyala Moon.
Overall, the New Voices Filmmaker Grant provides crucial support and resources to LGBTQ filmmakers, allowing them to develop their skills, create new work, and gain exposure in the industry. With the backing of Netflix and NewFest, these talented individuals have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the LGBTQ film community.
