When I first went to community college in 1996, I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry but I didn't think it would be possible for me at that time. I took a few video production classes because that is all my cow-town of a city had to offer but there was no access, no community available to me. This was before everyone had computers and Internet access at home. You would have to hunt down or happen upon someone of similar interest in those days. Nowadays, any 7 year old can make a movie on his mom's iPhone, edit it in iMovie, post it to Youtube, and potentially go viral. In some cases the community comes to you now.
One such film community organization that I have come to enjoy is the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP). The IFP is a non-profit organization designed to support independent filmmakers. Through assisting with productions, workshops, screenings, networking, and more, they promote independent films and filmmaking. Since it's creation in 1979, the IFP has had a major impact on independent filmmaking. They have provided resources and supported over 7,000 productions and 20,000 filmmakers. The help spotlight films for a cause as well as regular films.
I am inspired by the work that IFP has done on the overall independent filmmaking community. In my quest to build a network of Mixed-Race films and filmmakers, I believe I could take a few tips from IFP. Above all, I want to create a safe haven for filmmakers of Mixed-Race to tell their stories. Like IFP has done for independent filmmakers in general. Be it on film or in books or even a stand up act, it is important for Mixed-Race artist to have a voice. Offering filmmaking labs, a platform for screenings (perhaps an online film festival?), connections with producers/distributors/agents in the industry is the main focus of this Mixed Girl Moving Pictures blog. I am nowhere near where I want to be to get started but I am working on getting there.
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