Sponsor Sarah's AFI Directing Fellowship
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My Story
I have been running from this dream for almost twenty years.
Well, the first decade I was running. The second I have been slowly circling.
Now I am diving in.
I spent my twenties railing against injustice – working for non-profits focusing on the lives of women and girls in some of the poorest communities in the world. Only I found myself telling them they should believe in their dreams when I couldn’t believe in my own. The truth is I had always wanted to direct films, but I didn’t believe it was possible for me. I didn’t believe I was worth it. And I was afraid. Why?
Because just like them, the world has told me every day of my life that as a woman, I can’t or shouldn’t do things. I had run off to save the world because I was running away from myself – from my dreams and fears, from the wounds inside me.
I spent the next decade moving toward myself – honoring all of those women and girls by doing exactly what I was asking them to do. I have found that the healing of my wounds lies in facing my fears – that is, on the path toward my dreams. That path for me is toward directing.
Healing and believing in myself has been an arduous but wonderfully vicious cycle. A little healing and I worked my way up through various Hollywood roles. A little belief in myself and I made a film of my own. But I was still circling. I knew I needed more training but my belief in myself was still not big enough. Until now.
This year I took a giant leap of faith in myself and applied to the best directing program in the world. And – I got in!
I am pleased to announce that I have been selected for a fellowship at the American Film Institute Conservatory – the Juilliard of the filmmaking world.
I am still focusing on women and girls but I am focusing on this woman, this girl. I have come to believe that my dreams are worth chasing. That my stories are worth telling. That I am worth it. I am asking you to believe it. For me. For every girl. For yourself.
Learning to believe in myself has been empowering and I hope my films will bring some of what has grown in me to others. I know I am not the only one who has been running. I know I am not the only one who has been hiding. I hope my films will shed some light in dark places, bring hope and healing. To you. To the world.
AFI’s two-year MFA program will give me the training, practice, and platform I need to launch my work. I am beyond excited for this opportunity. (Read more about the program here.)
However, working for non-profits and in Hollywood assistant roles has not left me with a large reserve of financial resources. To make the magic happen I need sponsors who can commit to giving monthly to support my fellowship.
You can help by becoming a monthly sponsor. My goal is monthly sponsorship totaling 10,500/mo for 24 months. Please consider giving monthly! If you are not able to give monthly, any amount is greatly appreciated!
AFI's 2yr MFA program costs 250K *
(125k tuition and fees + 75k living expenses + 50k thesis film)
WHY SO EXPENSIVE??
- The cost includes expenses for three 10-12 min films and one 20-min film (making movies is expensive!)
- The cost also reflects two years of living expenses in Los Angeles (also expensive!) as it is impossible to have a regular job while during the fellowship.
- It is the most prestigious filmmaking program in the world!
*Goal updated to reflect scholarships and outside gifts received. See updates tab for details.