Proof of Concept, an accelerator program supporting women, trans and nonbinary filmmakers founded by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, producer Coco Francini and noted researcher Dr. Stacy L. Smith, debuted the work of its inaugural class at a showcase on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
“The showcase is a celebration of a cornucopia of new, wonderful points of view, and importantly, it’s a celebration of this vital step for these filmmakers,” said Blanchett. “From here, we know that these helmers can start shaping and remaking the industry.”
Blanchett appeared virtually, delivering her remarks from London, while Dr. Smith, Francini and Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria were on hand at Netflix’s Tudum Theater in Hollywood to celebrate with the filmmakers and some of their cast.
“Proof of Concept has done exactly what we hoped – yielded bold, inspiring filmmaking and filmmakers that proves these filmmakers are ready to take the next step with their projects,” said Francini from the stage. “Now it’s time for the industry to take notice as these gifted storytellers share the execution of their ideas and imagination and seek partners to bring their further work to life. I am excited to see what the future holds for each of these directors.”
Coco Francini (center) and Stacy L. Smith (right) pose with the inaugural class of Proof of Concept filmmakers: (L to R) Gabriela Garcia Medina, Mahnoor Euceph, Gilly Barnes, Courtney Hoffman, Barbara Jean Hall, Rebecca Halfon, Nikki Taylor Roberts, Nate Gualtieri and Ellie Foumbi.
Getty Images for Proof of Concept
Added Smith: “When we launched Proof of Concept, the goal was to support filmmakers ready to enter the industry. We knew these stories would widen the aperture for stories focused on women, trans, and non-binary perspectives and accelerate the careers of these directors. The films that resulted from this program demonstrate the immense talent of the next generation.”
Proof of Concept was created in 2023 after Dirty Films partners Blanchett and Francini met Smith, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, during the Cannes Film Festival. The trio then embarked on a mission to support a group of emerging filmmakers by commissioning projects that would serve as a “proof of concept” for longer-form content, either a feature film or episodic series. Each filmmaker received $50,000 to support the creation of their short film alongside mentorship support. With the support of the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, the program expanded to include filmmakers of documentary projects, further widening the opportunity to effect change across the industry.
“When we heard that Stacy was creating a new program with Coco Francini and Cate Blanchett to support filmmakers who often get overlooked, we jumped right in,” said Bajaria onstage. “We’re thrilled to support this initiative.”
The showcase featured short films — both narrative and documentary — from the program’s inaugural class of 10 filmmakers. Blanchett, Francini, and Smith, along with their all-star selection committee — Chloé Zhao, Emma Corrin, Eva Longoria, Greta Gerwig, Jane Campion, Janicza Bravo, Lily Gladstone, and Lilly Wachowski — selected the participants out of more than 1,200 applications.
The Proof of Concept filmmakers on stage at the Tudum Theater in Hollywood.
Getty Images for Proof of Concept
The short films included in the Proof of Concept program are:
Faithful Defenders (Barbara Hall) Their voices have been painfully quiet. Faithful Defenders seeks to amplify the views of devoted Christians who don’t fit the current narrative because they believe in reproductive rights for women, a woman’s right to choose and that abortions should be legal and accessible. They believe their faith requires this of them. Faithful Defenders will spread the good news that Christianity and reproductive rights do co-exist.
The Sisters of Scott County (Courtney Hoffman) All Cherry Mary wants is to pass her Commercial Driver’s License test and become a trucker — but after her family’s criminal enterprise makes the wrong enemies, when the test starts, the trouble begins. Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Emilio Rivera, Lachlan Watson, Ayvan William, Indiana Wells, Ava Phillippe.
Afufu (Ellie Foumbi) When a live-in housekeeper accidentally breaks a valuable item, her decision to hide her transgression from her employers has devastating consequences. Cast: Babetida Sadjo, Saffron Burrows, Tate Donovan, Vivian Olyphant, Audilia Batista.
Skrrrt! (Gabriela Garcia Medina) A group of high school frenemies plotting a massive car heist must convince an uppity salesman at a supercar dealership to let one of the girls test-drive a supercar. Cast: Belissa Escobedo, Keyla Moterroso Mejia, Alycia Pascual-Peña, Daisy Washington, Marlene Forte, Leah Knauer, Paul Scheer.
The Search for Magic (Gilly Barnes) A documentary series about a magician who has lost his sense of wonder. The show follows his quest to re-discover the meaning of magic, by asking deeper questions about the illusions he performs.
11:11 (Mahnoor Euceph) When 16-year-old Pakistani-American Noori’s wish at 11:11 to be her crush’s type goes awry, she’s magically transformed into a white, blonde, blue-eyed girl — and must undo the wish before losing herself completely. Set in affluent 2011 Palos Verdes, 11:11 is a comedic and profound exploration of the painful yet liberating realization that true belonging can’t be found by becoming someone else. Cast: Tara Raani, Mahaela Park, Caiden Falstrup-Finney, Caleb White, Taylor Geare, Meghan Kolb, Stella Sepaniak.
Queerbait (Nate Gualtieri) A precocious classics student piques the interest of his tenured professor. But when his mentorship starts to push boundaries, he’s forced to make a choice: protect his academic future, or protect his dignity? Cast: Sydney Mae Diaz, Matthew Floyd Miller
Ella (Nikki Taylor-Roberts) Ella sings her love songs — scatting through her darkest notes. Cast: Jill Scott, Destinee Rae McGinnis, Jon Chaffin, Tom Martin, Elisha Lawson, Daniel Staroselsky, Laurence Blum, Dave Ragland, Chad Paetnick, Jacob Tuder, Tyler Murtaugh, Conner Theriot, Paul Drechsler Martell, Shelsie Ducheine, Nachayka Vanterpool, Eboni Deane Edwards, Justin L. Wilson, David Wilson
My Bird Is Sick! (Rebecca Halfon) When her pet crow (and only friend) falls ill, an ancient hag living in self-imposed exile must venture into the modern world for help. Cast: Janeane Garofalo, Merlina the Raven, Morgan McGhee, Zach Fike Hodges, Rowan Kraxberger, Kiley Lotz, Ben Groh, Clem Cheung
A Man Who Takes Pictures of Flowers (Yoo Lee) A mixed-media documentary about Jung Myung Kim, a photographer who has dedicated over 40 years of his life to capturing Korea’s wildflowers and, in the process, discovering true happiness.
More information about the program and its first class of filmmakers can be found on Proof of Concept’s website.
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