Elevated Films Chicago

Several years ago, Chaz Ebert mentioned how wonderful it would be if aspiring young filmmakers from the DePaul & CHA Become a Filmmaker program could experience the Cannes Film Festival. Having attended many times as a correspondent for RogerEbert.com, she was excited about what it would mean to them. Not only would they be among top-tier filmmakers, but they’d also be getting their passports and flying abroad for the very first time. It's the type of transformational experience that breaks the sky wide open for what is possible. It is also an opportunity for them to feel that they are welcome and worthy of all spaces, even the most prestigious film festival in the world.

We selected three aspiring Black female/non-binary filmmakers that have proven their talent and commitment to the craft. We have already secured the majority of the funding. Chaz is covering their round-trip airfare. Our longtime partner, Chicago Housing Authority/S2S will pitch in half of the total youth cost.

Elevated Films, a youth arts non-profit supporting our program since 2021, is fundraising the remaining $5,000. These funds will cover the balance of travel expenses, fees, transfers, lodging and necessities.

FILMMAKER STATEMENTS & BIOS

Isis Gullette (18 yrs old, she/her)

"As a screenwriter, representation is very important to me because I remember what it felt like not being able to find positive depictions of queer Black women onscreen to help me make sense of my sexuality, gender, and race. As a result, I always try to tie in social commentary on sociological issues that matter to me within my scripts. As a young filmmaker from Englewood, the Festival de Cannes would be an amazing opportunity to network with professionals and see firsthand the inner workings of the most prestigious film festival in the world!"

Isis is a talented screenwriter who has participated in DePaul's summer film intensives for three years straight. Her screenplay, “I Am Not Your Token” about a Black girl navigating her identity at a predominantly white high school was chosen to become the program's first professionally produced narrative short film. Last summer, she also co-produced an experimental film called “Pulse” linking train lines to relationships. The short was selected for Apple’s “Anyone Can Create” youth showcase and screened for hundreds of her peers at the Michigan Ave flagship store. She is graduating from Jones College Prep in May and plans on attending film school.

Unique Moore (18 yrs old, they/them)

"Growing up in Chicago's south side, I wasn’t comfortable around others or even playing at my neighborhood park. The one place I did feel safe was the fictional world of movies. By 8 years old, I was fully entranced by the beauty and art of film. As a young adult pursuing cinematography, I most admire those who had to create a space for themselves in a white, male-dominated industry. From Spike Lee making way for Black directors to Issa Rae giving voices to dark skin Black women, I want to be among those filmmakers bringing new perspectives to the screen. The reason I am most excited about the Festival de Cannes is that it would be my first experience being surrounded by so many people as passionate about film as I am!"

Unique Moore joined DePaul's "Become a Filmmaker" cohort two years in a row. They quickly established themselves as someone with strong intuition for story and the subtlety of film technique. In 2021, their short film, "Life Is a Movie" was selected for Apple’s competitive “Anyone Can Create” youth showcase and streamed online for thousands of viewers. They are currently a senior at Lindblom High School and plan to study cinematography in college.

Christal Westmoreland (21 yrs old, she/her)

"Screenwriting enables me to communicate my personal experiences as a woman of color. I am motivated by the work of Black filmmakers like Ava DuVernay, Jordan Peele, and John Singleton who tackle sensitive topics like racism, gun violence, and identity. I want to pursue screenwriting to be among African Americans in the writing room who work to lessen racial stereotypes and increase diversity in the film industry. I come from a neighborhood where it's easy to become a statistic of systemic poverty. I have always known that I want something different in life. Being able to fly abroad for the first time and attend the world-renowned Festival de Cannes would be such an incredible boost to me as a filmmaker. It will also show my entire community, especially all the little Black girls, that if I can do this, even their wildest dreams can come true."

Christal, a gifted screenwriter, completed three years of DePaul's Movie & TV Scripts summer program. Her script was chosen twice as the strongest of her cohort and performed in front of a live audience. Motivated to continue her journey as a screenwriter, she studied film at the prestigious HBCU, Howard University for two years. She recently moved back to Chicago and is now attending DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts. Last summer, she participated in DePaul's Become a Filmmaker program serving as 2nd A.D. in the production of "I Am Not Your Token."

LEARN MORE

DePaul + CHA's Become a Filmmaker Program

Through two lenses—the lens of a camera and the lens of their life experiences— CHA youth gain technical filmmaking skills and learn the power of their personal narratives. The two-tier mentorship model allows youth to learn from DePaul's top graduate students and award-winning film professionals. In 2021, Elevated Films joined in as a partner to allow for year-long outreach. This includes hosting community screenings of their films, attending and serving as jurors at prestigious film festivals, participating in technical workshops, and getting exposed to other visual storytelling forms such as theatre, music and dance.

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