Production Training for Rising Filmmakers of Color

Dear Donors,

At Justice for My Sister, we have been hard at work training our 2024 cohort of Production Assistants. This cohort consists of 30 talented early-career filmmakers who have found a community in our organization where they can train on soft skills and hands-on practices of filmmaking while creating a network of peers and mentors who will support their careers for years to come. One of our PAs, Hanaa M. writes about their experience in the PA Certification program: 

“The Production Assistant (PA) Certification program has been the most hands-on program that has actually invested in my career as a creative in the industry compared to other programs focused on launching young minority creatives. Our weekly classes consisted of lessons teaching us how to operate on set, which has monumentally prepared me for bigger, more professional sets, as well as guest lectures from creatives and industry heads that provided a realistic picture of breaking in and maintaining life in the industry. Compared to the other programs—programs that would pair students up with industry regular mentors who never have the time to check in—the PA Certification program was a breath of fresh air. The second part of the PA Certification program pushes further by placing participants on professional sets, allowing us to flex our knowledge and network with our future colleagues. I recommend JFMS’ PA Certification program for any minority creative looking to break in.”

In the next few months Justice for My Sister will place these promising young filmmakers on film productions across town, providing them with their first paid job in the film industry. 

We are able to do what we do because of generous donors like you. Please consider visiting our GlobalGiving donation page and double your support of our organization and this impactful program. 

Dear Donors,

Justice for My Sister is preparing for the start of a new cohort of the Production Assistant Certification program. This is one of our most sought-after programs which supports early-career filmmakers of color with trainings in soft and technical skills in film & TV production and offers subsequent paid on-the-job trainings.

We are privileged to have a part in helping establish our graduates’ careers and we love seeing how they continue to grow beyond the reach of this program. With your continued support, we are able to get behind artists of color such as Marlene Luna, who wrote the below testimonial:

I’ve come so far in my career as a filmmaker with the support and guidance of Justice For My Sister (JFMS). At a moment in my life where I sought to pursue my passion in production after acting professionally, I was at a crossroads between thinking I could only pursue one thing at a time or taking a chance and pivoting into something that will help me become the multidimensional artist I am. 

Being offered the generous opportunity to become part of the inaugural cohort of the JFMS PA Certification Program was the most impactful validation that this is what I was meant to do. It certified my love for the creativity behind the scenes. The program went so far beyond PA training; it went deep into filmmaking and best methods for finding our callings for specific roles we can aspire to in the industry. 

I had the honor of also participating in the JFMS BIPOC Sci-Fi Writing Lab which took my love and passion for creative storytelling to new heights. Learning about afrofuturism, indigenous futurism and the perspectives with which we see our past and future through, taught me the importance of a decolonial and trauma-informed lens. 

Since graduating from the PA program in 2022, they’ve helped me book over 2,000 hours on set and supported me on my dream of becoming a director as part of the organization’s nomination into CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge 2024.

JFMS and the folx who run it have been champions of me and my career from the beginning of my journey into taking a chance on myself. What they’ve given me is the power to show up and take up space in the industry strapped with knowledge, reassurance and confidence. 

Their gifts have yielded so many more opportunities for me and I will always bring the knowledge, gratitude and community I gained from JFMS with me every I go. 

Sincerely, 

Marlene Luna