Essential Knowledge For
Filmmakers
Of Colors
Ada Gay Griffin, co-director of A LITANY FOR SURVIVAL, is an activist working in electronic media and film production.
Behind The Lens: The Journey Of
Ada Gay Griffin
Ada Gay Griffin, co-director of A LITANY FOR SURVIVAL, is an activist working in electronic media and film production. Formerly executive director of Third World Newsreel, she has dedicated her career to ensuring a flourishing future for progressive artists of color. She studied art, political science, and Black feminist writing at Hampshire College, where she encountered the works of Audre Lorde. Griffin previously directed and produced "Can't Jail the Revolution and Break the Walls Down", and developed "Black in a Small Town", a documentary series exploring issues of race and class in semi-rural areas. She is currently the administrative director for Dreams of Hope: Queer Youth Arts in Pittsburgh.
Through The Lens: A Glimpse Into
Ada Gay Griffin
's
World
Voices Of Impact: Celebrating
Ada Gay Griffin
's
Vision
When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story.
When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
When I first joined a twn workshop, I was an aspiring filmmaker with a vision but uncertain how to bring it to life. twn didn't just offer me tools and training; they provided a community that believed in my story. The mentors and peers I met there have become lifelong collaborators and friends. Today, I'm proud to say my documentary, which highlights the struggles and triumphs of Indigenous communities, has not only been made but has received acclaim in film festivals. This journey of empowerment and creation began with twn, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
"...pure movement and expression of catharsis...”
“It wasn’t until I took a film workshop at TWN that I actually believed that I could make a film.”
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“Technique for us is secondary. The people themselves have a rich life experience, a knowledge of history and their culture and community organization. And these people are far more qualified to make films than people who have learned their skills in a school."
“I learned to shoot and edit on video, but the most important thing I learned was how to collaborate with people on the stories that mattered to us.”
“TWN Production Program serves as a gateway for emerging makers to move forward – several have managed with their workshop film projects to then enter the elite film schools, others have gone straight into the field, including colleagues that I work with in the industry now.”
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“It was a great experience that I continue to cherish."
“I learned so much both technically and artistically and now feel connected to a community of people who share my values as a filmmaker.”
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“I always felt supported by the facilitators Chrystian Rodriguez, Danny Kim and JT Takagi. They helped me develop my proposal further and taught me the technical aspects to bring it to life.”
“The strength and value of TWN’s production program continues to impact other filmmakers like me, in finding community, mentorship, resources, and education in filmmaking.”
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“I made lifelong collaborators and found a rich filmmaking community through the fellowship cohort. I am so grateful for my experience with TWN for helping me find my creative voice and a BIPOC queer filmmaking community.”
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“It was refreshing and inspiring to be around other value-driven, community-oriented, and social-justice-oriented filmmakers.”
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