WOMEN IN FILM PDX
AWARD $5,000 VISION GRANT
TO LOCAL EMERGING TALENT
ROBERTA CUMBIANCHERA
Roberta Cumbianchera is the recipient of their $5,000 Vision Grant, a signature program of the organization that supports production of a film by a local female or nonbinary storyteller annually. Over 2 dozen filmmakers applied for the Vision Grant, which was narrowed to three compelling finalists. The finalists gave in-person pitches to WIF-PDX board members and local leaders in the community, Courtney Hermann and Annie Tonsiengsom, after which Cumbianchera’s short film, Navidad de Reserva, was announced as the winner at the WIF-PDX Annual Year-End Party.
“We are so grateful to be the grantees of WIF Visions 2022,” Cumbianchera said, “Our film has been shot thanks to the collective effort of our cast and crew and this grant is the last push that we needed to finish post production. The costs of sound mixing and editing can be high and we want to make sure that anyone that works on the team of Navidad de Reserva is paid fairly, because we are all working class. The film had been on standby due to the lack of funds and now we are finally going to see it come to fruition! Thank you so much, Women in Film – Portland Chapter!”
“The stark truth and beauty in Roberta’s project doesn’t fit the stereotypical plots formed around the migrant experience. It’s a story that needs to be seen and it resonates clearly with the mission of WIF-PDX, to elevate underrepresented voices in filmmaking. We couldn’t be prouder to support it,” said WIF PDX president, Lisa Miyamoto, “All three finalists moved us with their passion and vision for their stories, and we are energized to find more ways to support and uplift the talent in this dynamic community.”
Cumbianchera’s winning project, Navidad de Reserva, follows Florencia, a South American immigrant on Christmas Eve, as she faces challenges and isolation during what’s supposed be the most wonderful time of year. It was written from Cumbianchera’s personal experience as an immigrant, to capture the loss of ever feeling at home and “nostalgia for things you don’t quite remember but can’t let go of.”
Karina Lomelin Ripper and Rachel Ward were the WIF-PDX Vision Grant 2022 finalists. Ripper’s project, Chispa, is a horror, dance, short film about female strength and transformation (more at karinaripper.com). And Ward’s feature documentary, Love Me, Bait Me, explores Hollywood’s tenuous relationship with authentic portrayal of diverse LGBTQ+ experiences (see lovemebaitmefilm.com).
WIF-PDX Women’s Vision Grant – APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
The 2022 Women’s Vision Grant provides financial support ($5,000) to women and non-binary media creators in Oregon and SW Washington (Clark County.) This project-based grant aids in current production while fostering the artist’s professional and personal development.
The grant is offered annually through Women in Film Portland, a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to elevating women in film, communications, and media through education, outreach, and professional development.
Only WIF-PDX members are eligible to apply. Join Women in Film Portland now at www.wifpdx.org
After all grant applications have been received, the WIF-PDX board of directors will evaluate candidates and decide on the final four candidates. The final candidates will participate in a pitch session with professionals.
One grant awardee will be selected to receive $5,000 and the opportunity for mentoring.
Applications are currently being reviewed, and finalists will be notified this week.
Congratulations to our 2019 funding recipients!
Grant
We’re proud to announce Lindsay Trapnell as the winner of our $5,000 Vision Grant award for her documentary film in progress called “Riveted.” The film is about the Rose City Riveters, a fan club for the Portland Thorns women’s soccer team. It is one of the largest and most avid groups of supporters in all of professional women’s sports. She hopes to finish the film before the 2020 Summer Olympics and is raising funding. “The U.S. women’s soccer team has done a lot to drive the conversation about equal pay, so I think that would be a great time to get the film out,” she added. The teaser for “Riveted” can be viewed on her website, along with many of her other film and photography projects.
Scholarship
The recipient of our scholarship is Katy Strutz, a young woman working in the PDX animation industry who ultimately wants to write and direct her own films. She is intrigued by stories about strong characters and the complexity of human connection. “I couldn’t be prouder or more confident in the unique voice I have developed as a visual artist and my hard earned self-sufficiency as a filmmaker.” She will be using the scholarship funding to build her storytelling skills as she works on the script to her first feature film. You can find samples of her work in images, animation, and fabrication on her website.