Sarah Paulson Seeks Inspiration from Emerging Filmmakers and Addresses Current Political Unrest: 'Is a Revolution Necessary?'
In a mutually beneficial experience, Karishma Dev Dube and MG Evangelista have been announced as the grand prize winners of the Tribeca and Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program. As winners, they will receive full financing to produce their short film, "Strangers," with support from Tribeca Studios.
The three-day mentorship program, Through Her Lens, saw Karishma Dev Dube and MG Evangelista among a select group of filmmakers. They received script notes and career advice from a panel of veteran jurors, which included Sarah Paulson, an American actress known for her work in film and television.
Paulson found inspiration in the purity of the young filmmakers' original interest in the medium of film. She commended their resilience, stating that despite facing seemingly insurmountable challenges in a constantly evolving economy and industry, they are still showing up to create their art.
The Emmys night was a significant moment for women and performances of people over 40, with many winners being seen as a communication of people paying attention and rewarding work based on real talent. Paulson, along with Meghann Fahy, Kaitlyn Dever, Allison Janney, Payal Kapadia, Issa Rae, and Jenny Slate, announced the grand prize winners.
During the program, Paulson did not focus on making the scripts more accessible or meeting commercial opportunities. Instead, she was moved by the confidence, curiosity, and exploration of the young filmmakers, who were not feeling the boundaries and restrictions of commercial filmmaking.
Paulson expressed a preference for kitchen sink dramas in film and TV, citing examples like "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "A Woman Under the Influence." She also mentioned two books she would like to see adapted: "Intermezzo" by Sally Rooney and "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride.
In addition to her work in the film industry, Paulson has been involved with Through Her Lens, a program that supports female photographers and visual storytellers. She finds it inspiring and cool to see the aspirations and hope of the next generation of filmmakers, even in difficult political times.
The program provided a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their talents and receive guidance from industry veterans. With the support of Tribeca Studios, Karishma Dev Dube and MG Evangelista are one step closer to bringing their vision to life with their short film, "Strangers."
