ABC Picks Diverse Group For Filmmaking Stipends
By Borys Kit
Publication: The Hollywood Reporter
Wednesday, August 6 2003
ABC has announced the recipients of the 2003 ABC Talent Development Scholarship-Program, its annual effort to discover and foster young writing and filmmaking talents from diverse backgrounds.
Each of the 10 recipients will receive $20,000 for the completion of their submission in the form of scholarships and grants, and is paired with a mentor during the 12-month grant period. The program culminates in a four-day series of workshops and pitch meetings at ABC Entertainment and the Walt Disney Studios.
Whittled down from thousands of submissions, this year’s recipients include:
Juan Castilo, for “Sanjas (Deathtraps),” a story set in the Dominican Republic about a boy who needs a mule to haul water from his home in the hills down to the city;
Michael D’Amore, for a screenplay called “Laws of Nature,” a comedic drama about a diverse group of young people who go to law school and learn a little law and a lot of everything else;
Roberto Espinosa, who wrote “Ayi, Mijo (Oh, Son),” a Latino-American coming of age story about a boy’s struggles with his machismo father and a horrific Boy Scout bake sale;
Yvonne Farrow, for “I’d Rather Be Dancing,” a story about a married and paralyzed dance diva who, while throwing out her memories, is confronted by her ex-lover and dance partner who shows her that the spirit of dance doesn’t have to die with the use of her legs;
Johnalynn Holland, who submitted “b-girls and ballet dreams,” a story about a young woman who defies her mother by moving to New York to study ballet;
Stephanie Lyons, for “Gabrielle,” the story of an unborn soul who must make the decision of whether or not to be born after seeing a glimpse of her future life;
Delores Yvonne Kenney, for “A Place Like This,” which tells the story of four women who live in a women’s residence;
Yiuwing Lam, for “Rupture,” about a lonely taxi driver who finds the woman of his dreams, or so it seems;
Juan Carlos Perez, who submitted “Blind Man’s Bluff,” the story of a 10-yea old who, due to the death of his father, manipulates people by his smile, until he meets his match, his new teacher who is blind;
Nerissa E. Williams, for “Millennium Eve,” a drama about two women from two very different worlds.
“We want to give these very talented individuals the opportunity to be seen and heard, and more so, to learn and to grow and to succeed,” ABC Entertainment president Susan Lyne said.
The recipients’ sponsor organizations, meanwhile, will receive $10,000 towards the continued support of the arts in their respective communities.
