Undergraduate Film & Television

Filmmakers of Color in Unity and Support (FOCUS)

Filmmakers of Color in Unity and Support (FOCUS) is a student-led organization by and for emerging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) filmmakers within NYU undergraduate, graduates and alumni. We host discussions about finances and managing money as artists as well as diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, in addition to the film department faculty at NYU. 

FOCUS also hosts work-in-progress screenings, where filmmakers can get feedback on a script or first cut. We provide a safe space for BIPOC creatives to be able to share their work with an audience who can give feedback on cultural or sensitive parts of their story.

Want to subscribe to our email list? Just shoot us an email at focus.tisch@nyu.edu.

You can also follow the Filmmakers of Color in Unity and Support on Facebook or on Instagram.

  • Anatola Pabst

    Anatola Pabst

    President

    Pronouns: she/her/hers Years: Class of 2021
    Fun Fact: I lived in India for a year when I was. baby.

  • Ziyne Abdo

    Ziyne Abdo

    Vice President

    Pronouns: she/her/hers Year: Class of 2022
    Fun Fact: I hate all berries.

  • Amanda Gordon

    Amanda Gordon

    Director of Marketing

    Pronouns: she/her/hers Year: Class of 2022
    Fun Fact: I'm a Capricorn!

  • Kendra Monet

    Kendra Monet

    Treasurer

    Pronouns: she/her/hers Year: Class of 2021
    Fun Fact: When I was younger, I was a ballet dancer for five years.

First Annual Focus Film Festival

We are dedicated to supporting traditionally marginalized visions and voices which is why we are launching this film festival. Despite creative challenges within 2020, it is necessary to come together as a community of changemakers, visionaries, and storytellers. This festival is a celebratory space where we can validate our ideas and experiences of stories.

This festival is for you if:

  • You have a film (not limited to films made for class) that was completed after January 1st, 2019

  •  At least 2 of the following 3 roles are filled by BIPOC: Director, Writer, Producer

  • Your film is less than 20 minutes long (including beginning and end credits)

  • You are currently enrolled at NYU as an undergraduate or graduate student OR an NYU alumni who graduated from NYU after May 2018

SUBMIT TO THE FESTIVAL

We will be accepting submissions for the festival February 2nd through February 28th. All films will be put into curated Vimeo playlists according to the categories listed:

  • Music Video/Branded Content

  • Experimental

  • Narrative

  • Documentary

  • Animation

  • First Time Filmmaker 

Vimeo playlists will be available to all registered festival participants (registration will be open to the public) for screening while film faculty and notable alumni judge the submitted works.

Winners of each category will be awarded a $200 cash prize and a framed certificate. Special awards include the People’s Choice Award, Social Impact Award, and Best in Show. Winners of these categories will be awarded a 4TB hard drive.

The festival will be held in April over Zoom where participants will have the opportunity to learn from a prominent keynote speaker in the film industry. We will also hold Q & A sessions featuring emerging filmmakers.

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