Mezcla: Illuminating the Future

Colette Ghunim is organising this fundraiser to benefit Mezcla Media Collective.

Tax deductible

Mezcla Media Collective is a Chicago-based non-profit arts organization providing resources and equity to women and non-binary filmmakers of color. Founded as an informal collective in 2017 by filmmakers Colette Ghunim and Elena Valentine who saw a need for a centralized community, we work to develop career pathways, provide educational programming, and build access to industry leaders nationwide, all while cultivating a tight-knit support system for one another.

Through our work over the past five years, Mezcla has:

Provided over $25,000 in microgrants to filmmakers, including pandemic relief funds for filmmakers
Implemented 150 hours of programming in the form of production workshops, annual retreats, monthly meetups, and trainings
Partnered with Chicago Media Project on the Shifting Voices Film Fund
Increased our membership base from 70 original members to over 750 womxn of color filmmakers in the Chicagoland area.
Facilitated partnerships with industry leaders such as Kickstarter, Sundance, Chicago Media Project, OTV, Northwestern University, Sisters in Cinema, Black Public Media and more
Secured our first office space at Cinespace Lot - where all major Chicagoland TV and films are filmed
Facilitated over 100 freelance and full-time hiring opportunities for women and non-binary people seeking work in the industry.

Our Annual Fall Fundraiser will allow Mezcla to continue providing workshops, training, and job opportunities in film for over 700 filmmakers and allies across Chicagoland. In order to sustain our growth, we need to increase our capacity, maintain and expand our program offerings, and continue our engagement with the film community.

Breakdown

Capacity Building - Expand operations and staff

$15,000 - Increase hours for key staff roles (Programming, Development, Communications)
$8000 - Hire consultant to help create new 3-year Strategic Plan

2023 Programming - regular programs and expanding programs

$5000 - Quarterly Workshops, Table Reads, Monthly Meetups
$2000 - Annual Retreat

While nationwide statistics reveal slow progress in fulfilling production and leadership roles in films by BIPOC individuals, Mezcla seeks to level the playing field, ensuring that women and non-binary filmmakers of color are able to participate in Chicago’s bustling media production scene, forcing industry stakeholders to confront Chicago’s historical lack of inclusion while advancing the work of our constituents as valid and worthwhile.

Your support will go a long way in helping us continue doing the work!

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