As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the global cinema landscape from the quaint indie theaters of Cannes to the bustling multiplexes of Hollywood, I must say that Jordan Peele’s “No Drama” initiative is a breath of fresh air in the film industry. Born out of the fertile mind of a modern horror maestro and backed by powerhouse partners like TIFF and Universal Pictures, this program promises to nurture the next generation of visionary storytellers.
Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, in collaboration with the Toronto International Film Festival and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, unveiled the first group of budding filmmakers selected for their “No Drama” program.
Derived from the creative genius of Peele (also known for “Get Out,” “Us,” and “Nope” as he secured a long-term contract with Universal), the project titled “No Drama” invites artists to ponder this question: “What is your deepest fear? What hidden monsters dwell within the darkest recesses of your thoughts?
Five filmmakers have been chosen to develop short horror films that delve into various cultural perspectives, historical periods, diverse settings, and societal aspects. Each of these creators – Chandler Crump, Charlie Dennis, Helena Hawkes, Jared Leaf, and Ariel Zenogotita – will be awarded a $50,000 grant by TIFF to produce their unique projects over the course of a one-year, non-exclusive program.
I’m overjoyed to introduce the inaugural group of ‘No Drama’ filmmakers into the Monkeypaw family. Each member, Chandler, Charlie, Helena, Ariel and Jared, possess a distinct talent for genre storytelling. Their methods in exploring fear are both inspiring and intriguing,” stated Peele, revealing the participants. “With backing from Universal and TIFF, Monkeypaw and I are thrilled to nurture and elevate this talented group that will shape the future of exceptional filmmakers. I can’t wait for spectators to witness the terrifying creations they’re developing.
The program kicked off last month with a four-day intensive on the Universal Studios lot. TIFF, Monkeypaw and Universal’s Filmmaker & Content Strategies team have developed a year-long curriculum where the selected filmmakers will participate in roundtables and workshops focused on “enhancing their creative processes and increasing their knowledge of the studio system” while they produce their proof of concept and short films.
Peter Cramer, from Universal Pictures, stated that ‘No Drama’ is designed to help filmmakers thrive by offering them studio resources for crafting meaningful content with top-notch production quality. This partnership with Jordan and Monkeypaw promises a fantastic creative experience. The collaboration also includes TIFF’s esteemed brand and distribution channel, elevating the project even further. I am eagerly anticipating the innovative ideas these five gifted filmmakers will contribute to this initiative.
The program is set to end in the fall, allowing filmmakers to showcase their work at TIFF outside of the official selection, and participate in TIFF Industry market screenings arranged by the festival. Additionally, UFEG and Monkeypaw will have the exclusive right to acquire these projects once the initiative has concluded.
Kudos to these five exceptional filmmakers as they bring their unique, untamed ideas to life within the genre. We’re eagerly anticipating sharing their creations with the worldwide film community that will be in Toronto next September for our 50th anniversary,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey.
Regarding our partnership with Universal and Monkeypaw Productions, spearheaded by Peele, for a project showcasing emerging storytelling talents, Bailey stated: “This alliance signifies an important milestone in TIFF’s mission to nurture daring and multifaceted filmmakers. We eagerly anticipate the global influence of these films as they reach audiences worldwide.
[Pictured above: TIFF’s Cameron Bailey, Universal’s Peter Cramer, Helena Hawkes, Jared Leaf, Janine Jones-Clark, Monkeypaw’s Jordan Peele, Charlie Dennis, Ariel Zengotita and Chandler Crump.]
Bios for the selected filmmakers are below:
Chandler Crump obtained her BFA in film and TV from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her first short film, “Color Him Son,” had its initial screening at the Afrikana Film Festival, was shown at the New York International Shorts Film Festival, and won the title for the best undergraduate narrative film at the Fusion Film Festival. Crump has now finalized her second short, “There’s Someone at the Door,” a one-room feminist horror production. Additionally, she held a junior executive position in television development at Billy Porter’s production company. Originally from San Francisco, she currently resides in New York City.
Originating from the West Midlands in the UK, Charlie Dennis is a writer-director who focuses on enhancing accessibility within film and television to keep even the most thrilling tales grounded in humanity. His BBC short film “Silent World,” led by the deaf community, received recognition as Project of the Year at the National Lottery Arts, along with nominations from BAFTA, Academy Award, and BIFA-eligible film festivals. Dennis has recently overseen splinter units for an upcoming Sky TV series featuring Kenneth Branagh. Additionally, he has been both longlisted and shortlisted at Cannes Lions and 1.4 Awards.
Helena Hawkes, born and raised in New Mexico, is the middle child in a large Hispanic family of ten siblings. Her creative journey began when she stepped onto her first movie set during her sixth-grade years. Since then, this multi-talented individual, who dabbles in screenwriting, directing, painting, and poetry, has refined her skills in various genres while interning at Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions. In addition, she served as an apprentice to horror screenwriter and director Leigh Whannell, all the while working on her own projects. As a writer, Helena focuses on crafting stories centered around strong female characters that delve into themes of family dynamics, self-discovery, personal growth, and self-perception. These narratives often unfold through a genre or even surrealist perspective.
As an ardent admirer, I’d like to share my appreciation for Jared Leaf, a multi-talented artist hailing from Portland, Oregon. With his Ninety Third Story banner as his creative beacon, he has garnered accolades as a writer, director, and producer. His unique perspective in these roles is shaped by his diverse background – as a classically trained actor and a former college linebacker at San Jose State.
Ariel Zenogotita is a distinguished filmmaker hailing from Puerto Rico who now calls Los Angeles home. His creative endeavors often delve into the realm where psychological terror and dark humor intersect. His films have been showcased at festivals such as SXSW and Palm Springs International ShortFest, and have garnered attention on platforms like Short of the Week, Director’s Notes, and Vimeo Staff Picks. Furthermore, Zenogotita has been highlighted on Latinx Directors, a pioneering platform dedicated to featuring notable Latino directors residing in the U.S.
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2024-11-01 18:53