Help Elena get to Cannes Film Festival in France
Donation protected
The background:
During October of 2018, I made a five-minute film in one week as part of the UC Berkeley Campus Movie Fest. I created a film that tells the story of my Aunt Monica and her incredible journey with art.
I was elated to receive a jury award at the UC Berkeley CMF competition.
In January 2019, though, I woke up to an email notification saying "Monica's Path" was selected to be apart of the Cannes Film Festival in France in May!!!!!!! AHHHH!!
In sum:
I am thrilled that I will have the chance to showcase Creative Growth, my own Aunt (!!) and my work this May at the Cannes Film Festival. However, the costs are exorbitant. Without airfare, the program costs are $3,400. Due to a fast approaching date, I have since bought my plane ticket (which was a scary amount). Here is the breakdown:
I am lucky in that I have put money in my savings account throughout my life that would be able to cover most of the cost. I am making this GoFundMe in order to give those who are able and willing the chance to help fund my trip.
For those who donate $50 or more, and companies who donate $150 or more, I would like to thank you by offering to produce a:
- 1 hour photoshoot/event shoot of your choosing (graduation, party, for the gram, etc.)
or
-1 minute video for whatever topic you choose (ad for your company, your mom's jewelry, a party, graduation, etc.)
Please write your email somewhere so I can reach out to schedule and work out the details! <3
Additionally, I am attempting to work with the AAVP office at Berkeley to apply for grants. Unfortunately, none of the undergrad grants fund international trips. But fortunately, I have been working two jobs in addition to school and rugby, so I have been able to save some money!! (not much though tbh hahah)
So what?
This is by far and away the most incredible opportunity that I have ever had. I am still in shock. Your contribution would allow me to pay for my airplane ticket, food, housing and other costs for the Cannes Film Festival. Moreover, your financial help will be contributing to an incomparable experience that will enrich me as a person, grow me as a filmmaker and enhance my career and knowledge within the field.
Any amount of help will make a real difference for me and I would be extremely grateful and appreciative.
For awhile I thought that I was not meant to do film because I didn't have the right look, I'm a girl, etc. This recognition at the Cannes Film Festival has validated me as a filmmaker. I am elated to be writing this and I thank you for reading thus far!
Watch "Monica's Path to Creative Growth," a film I made in a week that will be featured at the Cannes Film Festival!
The full story:
When Campus Movie Fest came to Berkeley, I quickly narrowed a few swirling ideas in my head down to one. I knew I wanted to showcase my amazing Aunt Monica.
Monica Valentine is an accomplished artist whose beaded sculptures have been sold by Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Barneys New York, and displayed internationally. However, Monica is not your typical artist. She is blind and developmentally disabled. Monica's story of expressing herself through art at Creative Growth is a testimony to human capacity and drive when afforded the right opportunities.
Anybody who knows Monica knows how unique, intelligent, and lovable she is. I have heard many times from many members our of family that she is the best thing that's happened to the family. She is our blessing. Shoutout to my Aunt Catherine who eloquently tells Monica's story. Not only has is she well spoken and timelessly gorgeous, she has been Monica's number one advocate from the start. She puts in a ton of work to make sure Monica is healthy and happy.
I wanted people to see Monica for who she is and see the talent and capacity of those with different abilities. I used to hate when I was younger and people would stare at Aunt Monica. It made me angry that they would look at her any differently. Now I know perhaps that they were looking out of curiosity, but I nonetheless was frustrated with the lack of understanding. I want to thank Aunt Monica, Aunt Catherine and Campus Movie Fest for giving me the opportunity to increase understanding and to showcase Monica's grace and talent. Thank you to Creative Growth for affording enriching opportunities to those who deserve it most.
Campus Movie Fest is the amazing organization through which another short film of mine was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018.
I love Campus Movie Fest a ton. They go from college to college and lend equipment out for students to create a film under 5 minutes in one week. Last year I made a video about (the best human ever and) a DACA recipient who is just like any other Berkeley student. He juggles a job with both of his majors, is a part of a fraternity, and is a Resident Assistant in the freshman dorms. There is just one exception: Oscar was brought to the United States illegally from Mexico when he was just five years old. He tells the story of his journey to become a citizen in a place that does not always seems to want to accept him. Watch "An American Dreamer: Oscar Valencia"
---
Thank you again for reading my GoFundMe story. It means a lot to me!
Love,
Elena
elenamateus.net
During October of 2018, I made a five-minute film in one week as part of the UC Berkeley Campus Movie Fest. I created a film that tells the story of my Aunt Monica and her incredible journey with art.
I was elated to receive a jury award at the UC Berkeley CMF competition.
In January 2019, though, I woke up to an email notification saying "Monica's Path" was selected to be apart of the Cannes Film Festival in France in May!!!!!!! AHHHH!!
In sum:
I am thrilled that I will have the chance to showcase Creative Growth, my own Aunt (!!) and my work this May at the Cannes Film Festival. However, the costs are exorbitant. Without airfare, the program costs are $3,400. Due to a fast approaching date, I have since bought my plane ticket (which was a scary amount). Here is the breakdown:
I am lucky in that I have put money in my savings account throughout my life that would be able to cover most of the cost. I am making this GoFundMe in order to give those who are able and willing the chance to help fund my trip.
For those who donate $50 or more, and companies who donate $150 or more, I would like to thank you by offering to produce a:
- 1 hour photoshoot/event shoot of your choosing (graduation, party, for the gram, etc.)
or
-1 minute video for whatever topic you choose (ad for your company, your mom's jewelry, a party, graduation, etc.)
Please write your email somewhere so I can reach out to schedule and work out the details! <3
Additionally, I am attempting to work with the AAVP office at Berkeley to apply for grants. Unfortunately, none of the undergrad grants fund international trips. But fortunately, I have been working two jobs in addition to school and rugby, so I have been able to save some money!! (not much though tbh hahah)
So what?
This is by far and away the most incredible opportunity that I have ever had. I am still in shock. Your contribution would allow me to pay for my airplane ticket, food, housing and other costs for the Cannes Film Festival. Moreover, your financial help will be contributing to an incomparable experience that will enrich me as a person, grow me as a filmmaker and enhance my career and knowledge within the field.
Any amount of help will make a real difference for me and I would be extremely grateful and appreciative.
For awhile I thought that I was not meant to do film because I didn't have the right look, I'm a girl, etc. This recognition at the Cannes Film Festival has validated me as a filmmaker. I am elated to be writing this and I thank you for reading thus far!
Watch "Monica's Path to Creative Growth," a film I made in a week that will be featured at the Cannes Film Festival!
The full story:
When Campus Movie Fest came to Berkeley, I quickly narrowed a few swirling ideas in my head down to one. I knew I wanted to showcase my amazing Aunt Monica.
Monica Valentine is an accomplished artist whose beaded sculptures have been sold by Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Barneys New York, and displayed internationally. However, Monica is not your typical artist. She is blind and developmentally disabled. Monica's story of expressing herself through art at Creative Growth is a testimony to human capacity and drive when afforded the right opportunities.
Anybody who knows Monica knows how unique, intelligent, and lovable she is. I have heard many times from many members our of family that she is the best thing that's happened to the family. She is our blessing. Shoutout to my Aunt Catherine who eloquently tells Monica's story. Not only has is she well spoken and timelessly gorgeous, she has been Monica's number one advocate from the start. She puts in a ton of work to make sure Monica is healthy and happy.
I wanted people to see Monica for who she is and see the talent and capacity of those with different abilities. I used to hate when I was younger and people would stare at Aunt Monica. It made me angry that they would look at her any differently. Now I know perhaps that they were looking out of curiosity, but I nonetheless was frustrated with the lack of understanding. I want to thank Aunt Monica, Aunt Catherine and Campus Movie Fest for giving me the opportunity to increase understanding and to showcase Monica's grace and talent. Thank you to Creative Growth for affording enriching opportunities to those who deserve it most.
Campus Movie Fest is the amazing organization through which another short film of mine was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018.
I love Campus Movie Fest a ton. They go from college to college and lend equipment out for students to create a film under 5 minutes in one week. Last year I made a video about (the best human ever and) a DACA recipient who is just like any other Berkeley student. He juggles a job with both of his majors, is a part of a fraternity, and is a Resident Assistant in the freshman dorms. There is just one exception: Oscar was brought to the United States illegally from Mexico when he was just five years old. He tells the story of his journey to become a citizen in a place that does not always seems to want to accept him. Watch "An American Dreamer: Oscar Valencia"
---
Thank you again for reading my GoFundMe story. It means a lot to me!
Love,
Elena
elenamateus.net
Organizer
Elena Valentine
Organizer
Belmont, CA