(From L-R): Blanche Akonchong, Livia Huang, Nyala Moon, Rodney LlaverÃas
Four talented LGBTQ+ filmmakers have each received $25,000 in funding as part of the NewFest New Voices Filmmaker Grant.
New York-based NewFest has been championing LGBTQ+ film and media since 1988. Their initiative, supported by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, puts the spotlight on filmmakers who are yet to make a feature-length film or have not had a film publicly distributed.
The grant will enable the emerging filmmakers to create new work and take advantage of professional development and network-building opportunities. They will also have their work showcased and participate in events at this year’s NewFest, held from 14-October 2022 in New York.
Meet this year’s winners:
Livia Huang, a film director from Baltimore whose films have been screened at Berlinale, IFFR, New Directors/New Films and NewFest. She received a Flies Collective Film Grant in 2018.
Rodney LlaverÃas, a Dominican-American filmmaker and Columbia University graduate who will be making his feature directorial debut with La CanÃcula, based on his short film TropicalÃa.
Blanche Akonchong is a queer Cameroonian/American writer, director, actor and musician from Georgia whose long-term goal is to create a TV show which chronicles the Black and LGBTQ+ experience in a comedic, postmodern way.
Nyala Moon is a filmmaker, writer and actress of trans experience who pursued her passion for filmmaking after working in the non-profit community, helping other transgender and queer people of colour access affirming health care. She has recently finished writing, directing and starring her short How Not to Date While Being Trans.
The next round of applications for the NewFest New Voices Grant will open in January 2023.
