Help Lamont Gibson Rebuild After Tragic Fire

Dear Friends, Philadelphia Film Community, Temple Faculty and Students,

I'm co-sponsoring this GoFundMe for my Temple MFA Film Media Arts student, Lamont Gibson, who lost his life possessions, including his camera equipment, in a tragic fire in September. To give you a sense of how accomplished and well-regarded he is at Temple, Lamont just won one of the highly competitive University's Completion Grants for his Thesis Film. In short he is a great filmmaker, a wonderful teacher, and a generous community member who volunteers his time to help non-profits.

Anything you can contribute will go towards helping him replace his film equipment, and help him replace personal items and clothing.

Hello! My name is Lamont Nathaniel Gibson, and I am a passionate filmmaker, educator, and organizer from Philadelphia. Currently, I am in my final year of my MFA program at Temple University, where I have been honing my craft and working to create meaningful stories through film.

Tragically, on September 11th, my home was devastated by a fire while I was away. When I returned, I found the aftermath of the destruction: I lost not only my film equipment, which is essential for my work, but also my kitchen essentials, winter jacket, and much of my clothing. This incident has been incredibly challenging, both personally and professionally, as it has disrupted my ability to continue my studies and pursue my passion for filmmaking.

The loss of my film equipment has been profoundly disruptive to my creative flow and projects. I’ve had to pause several ongoing initiatives and rethink my approach to storytelling. However, I’m also seeing this as an opportunity to adapt. I plan to explore new ways of creating, perhaps by utilizing more accessible tools or collaborating with fellow filmmakers who can lend their equipment. This experience has also ignited a desire to document the recovery process itself, potentially turning this challenging chapter into a narrative that speaks to resilience and community support.

Rebuilding my life after this loss involves a multi-faceted approach. First, I’m reaching out to my community for support, both to help replace essential items and to reconnect with those who can offer emotional encouragement. I’m also setting small, achievable goals each day to restore a sense of routine and normalcy. This includes finding spaces to work on my projects, even if it means being resourceful with what I have. I’m focusing on self-care, which is crucial in this healing process, and I’m leaning on friends and colleagues for both practical help and emotional support.

This experience has fundamentally changed my perspective on storytelling. I find myself drawn to themes of resilience and recovery, which I believe will enrich my future work. As an educator, I’ll be able to share my journey with students, emphasizing the importance of community and adaptability in the face of adversity. This incident has shown me how powerful personal experiences can be in shaping narratives, and I look forward to exploring these themes in my projects moving forward. I believe this newfound insight will allow me to create work that resonates more deeply with audiences, highlighting the strength found in vulnerability.

I am reaching out to seek support as I work to rebuild and heal from this devastating experience. Any assistance would be invaluable in helping me get back on my feet and continue my journey in film and education. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and may you be blessed in return for your kindness.