Incoming Screenwriting Fellow Taryn Procsal Will Receive the Full-Tuition Scholarship
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced that it has named incoming AFI Conservatory Screenwriting Fellow Taryn Procsal as recipient of the Kirk Douglas Fellowship, a full-tuition two-year scholarship awarded to an AFI Conservatory Fellow. Procsal is a single mother of three who was selected to receive the Fellowship due to her extraordinary talent and unique voice. She is entering the Conservatory this fall as one of a full-class of 140 first-year Fellows.
“I am honored and pleased to have Taryn Procsal receive the first Kirk Douglas Fellowship,” said Kirk Douglas.
It is fitting that this Fellowship honors an aspiring screenwriter as Douglas has been a champion for the craft across 70 years in the film community. Most notably, in 1960, Douglas hired blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo to pen SPARTACUS and gave him full credit on the film, leading to the end of the Hollywood blacklist. Douglas received the19th AFI Life Achievement Award in 1991.
The AFI Conservatory screenwriters include alumni like Sam Esmail (MR. ROBOT), Liz Hannah (THE POST), Brad Falchuk (AMERICAN CRIME STORY, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, GLEE), Scott Frank (OUT OF SIGHT, LOGAN), Susannah Grant (ERIN BROCKOVICH, A GIFTED MAN) and LaToya Morgan (SHAMELESS, PARENTHOOD, TURN).
About the AFI Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory has been named the #1 film school in the world. In 1969, the AFI Conservatory opened its doors to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the AFI Conservatory offers a two-year MFA degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. Aspiring artists learn from the masters in a collaborative, hands-on production environment with an emphasis on storytelling. Alumni of this elite program include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Julie Dash, Steve Golin, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Robert Richardson, among others.
AFI Fest Announces Dates For 2023
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A Bold Depiction of The Immigrant Struggle and The Cost of The American Dream
Carmona Pictures, a New York-based production company, proudly announces that Chisel, the short film written and directed by Julissa Scopino, has been selected as an official entry at the 2024 Chelsea Film Festival. The film, which powerfully explores the immigrant experience, will screen at the prestigious event, held from October 16-20 at Regal Theaters Union Square in New York City. In Chisel, a jobless teenage immigrant desperately seeks employment, only to be met with cold indifference from fellow laborers on a street corner who are also desperately looking for work. Isolated and longing to fit in, he faces a moral crossroads: follow the right path or get involved in a risky opportunity that promises quick success. The film offers a raw and urgent portrayal of the immigrant struggle, addressing labor exploitation, inequality, and the harsh realities of chasing the American dream. The film's main character is portrayed by actor Nico Bustamante (Riverdale, Gotti, and Bel Canto), who brings an emotional depth and authenticity to the role, capturing the internal struggle and desperation of his character. Chisel draws its power from Scopino’s sharp directorial vision and her dedication to illuminating this untold story of the Latino labor community. Influenced by cinematic giants like Vittorio De Sica (The Bicycle Thief) and Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York), Scopino captures the emotional and physical toll of working-class life in an unforgiving system. "This film resonates profoundly with me as I witness the pervasive struggles in our New York City streets, where individuals grapple with challenges ranging from theft and violence to homelessness and unemployment," states Scopino. "The impact of inflation has... Read More