Fund 'Chingona': Unveiling Women's Boxing Journey

Hello! This is Karin Fittante, the Producer on a documentary that we've been filming in Mexico City, titled, 'Chingona'. www.chingonafilm.com

This moving film covers the evolution of three female boxers in Mexico City, as they attempt to box their way out of poverty and earn a place at the Olympics and highest echelons of the world boxing community.

Featuring Yessica 'Kika' Chavez, a Mexico Champion belt winner, Guadalupe 'Lupita' Bautista, a world belt holder, and Fany 'Nina de Oro' Martinez, an up-and-coming teen training for the Olympics, follow these women on their difficult journeys to the top. Their strength and dedication have continually inspired us as they juggle their professional lives against a machisimo culture, corruption within the industry, family, financial difficulties and illness. They don't give up. Shot by Director Cedric Angeles, the beauty and harshness of Mexico City unfolds in the film like a dream.

Funds raised will be used towards the editing of a 10-minute trailer, which we need in order to apply for specific grants. We have self-funded to this point: traveling to Mexico City, forging deep ties with the boxers, filming them training, at home, and in boxing matches. We've shot 200+ hours of footage on location in Mexico City, and now need additional funds to move to the next stage of development.

Please help us finish 'Chingona'. Their story needs to be told.

TEAM:

CEDRIC ANGELES / Working between New Orleans and New York, Photographer and Director Cedric Angeles’ distinct imagery is simultaneously joyful and moving. Beginning his career as a travel photographer, he has since ventured into film and video with work driven with natural light and movement. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, Photo District News named him one of 30 Under 30 Young Photographers to watch. Selected clients have included Esquire, Rolling Stone, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller, Allure, GQ, Bon Appetit, DWELL, and Martha Stewart Living. He has photographed and directed commercials for Deutch Agency, JWT London, 22Squared, among others. In 2015, Cedric ventured to Mongolia to trek with traditional Eagle Hunters for his project BORN IN SNOW and is now directing his feature documentary debut, CHINGONA. www.cedricangeles.com

KARIN FITTANTE / Award winning Producer and Photo Art Director Karin Fittante is a rare entity; she was born and raised in New York City. She currently divides her time between New York and California. Coming from the magazine world where she worked as a Photo Editor (Bon Appetit, Men’s Health, New York Magazine, et al) Karin went on to Art Buy, Photo Direct and Produce digital, print, and broadcast commercials for ad agencies and clients, including Ogilvy & Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi, Nike, Honda, Williams Sonoma, etc. Her insider’s perspective culminated in the creation of Fittante Productions, an integrated company providing production services on both coasts. www.fittante.com

AMIT GAJWANI / Born in Mumbai, India, Amit Gajwani moved to New York at the age of 12. The influence of both cultures inspired a love of travel that is reflected in his work. A renowned stylist in the world of fashion print and advertisement campaigns, his clients include Jack Daniels, Microsoft, Franco Sarto, Ted Baker London, Maybelline, PNC bank, Ford Motors, and many more. Amit graduated with a psychology degree from Vassar College. His passion for psychology lends itself beautifully to character work within short format content and narrative feature films. His films have premiered at film festivals around the world. His last feature for Netflix, ‘The Perfect Find’, won the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023. His experience and passion for films have parlayed into producing as well. His ability to work with a wide spectrum of clients, budgets and talent is an asset. www.amitgajwani.com