Chicken & Egg Pictures welcomes two new Spring Interns: Natalia Weaver and Tasnuva Shehrin. Each of them brings a passion for nonfiction filmmaking, which permeates through their work. We are very excited to have them on our team!

Natalia Weaver

Communications Intern

As Communications Intern, Natalia supports the Communications team on various projects and tasks, including assisting the dissemination of promotional materials for our community of filmmakers and executing social media campaigns. Natalia is currently a student at The New School pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Culture and Media and is beyond excited to be joining the Chicken & Egg Pictures team. Prior to studying at The New School, Natalia earned her Associates Degree in Communications. When she was 19, Natalia moved to New York from Orange County, California to pursue her passion in Film and Media. Since then, Natalia has worked on several creative projects ranging from short films, TV sets, to co-writing and starring in a stage play which premiered at the Black Box Theatre. Natalia seeks to challenge current perceptions of Mexico in Western media while also highlighting and bringing awareness to cultural issues through film.

“I am ecstatic to be joining an organization whose vision and mission (to provide a global community of women and gender expansive documentary filmmakers with creative and financial support while striving for a gender-inclusive media industry) align with my own personal goals.”

Tasnuva Shehrin

Program Intern

As Program Intern, Tasnuva provides logistical support for programming and grant applications. With a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and a minor in Anthropology from Brooklyn College, she brings a comprehensive understanding of media and cultural dynamics to the role. Following her graduation, Tasnuva embarked on a solo month-long journey to Italy, where she filmed a documentary about migrant workers. With past roles as a Festival Coordinator and Public Health Educator, as well as an internship at American Documentary, Tasnuva is well-versed in various aspects of the industry. Outside of her role, Tasnuva pursues her interests as an independent filmmaker and an amateur gluten free baker.

“I’m thrilled to be part of a company that champions inclusivity for women and gender-expansive filmmakers, providing the support and resources needed to bring their visions to life. It’s wonderful to be involved in bridging the gap and fostering a more diverse and equitable creative landscape.”

Post by Communications Assistant Tess Caldwell. 

As a Communications Intern, Tess supports the communications team with social media and website promotion, graphics creation, and administrative support.

Currently, Tess is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Media and Screen Studies at Northeastern University, and is excited to join the team as a part of her co-op curriculum. Prior to joining Chicken & Egg Pictures, Tess had a keen interest in providing individuals and organizations with the tools and resources to run successful media campaigns. She launched her career by dedicating herself to providing support to over a dozen nonprofits, organizations, and campaigns on a consultancy basis. With social justice at the core of her work, she strives to deepen the intersection of arts and social justice. Ultimately, she hopes to take these learnings and apply them to work on criminal justice reform as well as to create engaging documentary films surrounding human rights and environmental injustices.

“I am enthusiastic about joining an innovative social impact-oriented organization that is committed to elevating marginalized voices and stories while cultivating such a diverse, talented community.” 

We are excited to welcome an egg-stra special new team member in our Nest. To learn more about her, visit our team page.

Since December 2023, Tess has continued her collaboration with Chicken & Egg Pictures as a Part-time Communications Assistant. 

As Program Assistant, Will supports the Program team’s growing efforts.

Prior to Chicken & Egg Pictures, Will resided in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a Civil Rights Legal Assistant and Assistant Manager of an independent bookstore. They have also held Marketing and Distribution intern positions at Cinetic Media and A24 in New York City. Will holds a BA in Film and a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley, and an MA in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University. Outside of Chicken & Egg, Will can be found at any repertory cinema or perusing the shelves of a used bookstore.

“I’m delighted to join an organization that imbues social responsibility and equity in its films. The sheer talent and commitment to our mission within our team, as well as our supported filmmakers, is truly inspiring!”

We are excited to welcome an egg-stra special new team member in our Nest. To learn more about them, visit our team page.

As Development Assistant, Kat supports the Development team in their ongoing fundraising efforts. Prior to joining Chicken & Egg Pictures, Kat worked and volunteered with several nonprofits and museums, many with a focus on the creative arts. During her time at New York University, she explored film courses and grew largely interested in diversity in the media. After getting her BA in Psychology, Kat worked with a world-renowned visual artist, then worked in programming at iCouldBe, an e-mentoring nonprofit where she helped design a unique network tool for high schoolers. Through these collective experiences, her passion to learn more about diversity and inclusivity, and to elevate underrepresented voices in the arts continues to grow. 

“I am thrilled to be part of an incredibly innovative organization and a team that works toward enabling and elevating diverse and important voices in film.”

We are excited to welcome an egg-stra special new team member in our Nest. To learn more about her, visit our team page.

Jenni has joined a leading global arts charity that amplifies and celebrates excellence across the screen industries and drives positive change through the power of film, games, and television. Her membership will play an integral role in upholding BAFTA’s commitment to supporting the growth of creative talent by fostering an inclusive and accessible industry for all, as BAFTA’s activities continue to expand across North America. 

Congratulations, Jenni!

Meet the newest member of our team: Development Manager Allison Villegas Roman.

“I am honored to join an organization that not only elevates such catalytic stories that might have gone untold but fosters a space in which filmmakers are able to transcend what they thought was even possible.” 

We are excited to welcome an egg-stra special new team member in our Nest.

Meet the newest member of our team: Associate Director of Communications Nina Rodgers. 

 

Prior to joining Chicken & Egg, Nina was the Assistant Director of Communications at The New York Women’s Foundation, where she worked on impact campaigns for the film The Assistant and produced original content with a focus on gender and racial justice. She has worked on communications strategy for documentary films including Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool and Vick. 

Nina believes in the power of storytelling for social impact. Her live journalism experience includes moderating events with thought leaders such as Wade Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Sybrina Fulton, Lesley MsSpadden, Benjamin Crump, and Mara Brock Akil. She has a BA in Broadcast & Digital Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a MA in Communication Education from Columbia University. 

“I’ve been an admirer of Chicken & Egg Pictures’ work for many years, so it feels like a full circle moment being part of the team now,” Nina reflects. “We support women and nonbinary filmmakers whose stories have the power to change the world–and I believe our story as an organization can also catalyze change. I’m excited to tackle new projects that will advance gender equity in the film industry, and introduce more people to the powerhouse that is Chicken & Egg Pictures.”

We are excited to welcome an egg-stra special new team member in our Nest.

At Chicken & Egg Pictures we are sending egg-stra special congratulations to 2020 Chicken & Egg Award recipient Maite Alberdi. The trail of success for her 2020 Academy® nominated film The Mole Agent, prods. Maite Alberdi and Marcela Santibanez, continued through this fall. 

The film received an award for Best Iberoamerican Film by the Mexican Academy of Arts and Motion Pictures (Academia Mexicana de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas), one of the most important film awards in Latin America and better known as “the Ariel.”  The Mole Agent also received two Platino Awards (Premios Platino) for Best Iberoamerican Documentary, and the Film in Education and Values award. During her acceptance speech, Maite made powerful remarks about the documentary field, “Documentaries are movies, just like all of them, only we work with reality as raw material. The Mole Agent seems like a fictional film thanks to a team capable of exploring new cinematographic forms.” 

In October, Micromundo Producciones, founded and directed by Maite, celebrated the ten year anniversary of their first film The Lifeguard with a brand new website, which includes a video on demand channel with all of her films available worldwide.  

Congratulations, Maite!
We cannot wait to see the new windows to different worlds that you will show us.

Post by Communications Intern Mariana Sanson

Funding Day

Thursday, Nov. 11

The Nuts and Bolts of Equity Investing
Featuring Chicken & Egg Pictures Board member Susan Margolin

Building Budget and Community on Kickstarter
Featuring Nest friend and Brown Girls Doc Mafia Founder Iyabo Boyd

Producing Day

Friday, Nov. 12

Impact Producing: Case Studies
Featuring Storm Lake director and producer Beth Levison (Project: Hatched 2021) and Impact Producers Alice Quinlan and Hoda Hawa. 

Cinematography Day

Saturday. Nov. 13

Introducing the Documentary Cinematographers Alliance 
Featuring An Act of Worship director Nausheen Dadabhoy (2019 (Egg)celerator Lab) and Made in Boise cinematographer Jenni Morello. 

Editing Day

Sunday, Nov. 14

Ade Launches Guidelines and BIPOC Editors Initiative
Moderated by 2017 Chicken & Egg Award recipient Geeta Gandbhir

Case Study: The Rescue
Featuring Co-Founder Senior Creative Consultant Judith Helfand 

Finding and Shaping Your Main Character
Moderated by Co-Founder Senior Creative Consultant Judith Helfand

Doc Series Day

Tuesday, Nov. 16

Power Dynamics in Documentary and Journalism
Featuring 2017 Chicken and Egg Award recipient Dawn Porter 

Proximity, Access, and Journalistic Distance
Featuring Enemies of the State director Sonnia Kennebeck (2018 (Egg)celerator Lab).

Audience Engagement and Distribution Day

Wednesday. Nov. 17

How to Build Your Audience from Scratch
Featuring And So I Stayed directors Natalie Pattillo and Daniel Nelson (Project: Hatched 2021)

Success? 
Featuring Nest friend and Brown Girls Doc Mafia Founder Iyabo Boyd.

Legal for Docs Day

Thursday, Nov. 18

New Trends in Ethics and Documentaries
Featuring the attorneys Nicole Page and Michelle Lamardo our partner Reavis Page Jump LLP Featuring Nest-supported filmmaker and Pray Away (2019 (Egg)celerator Lab) producer Jessica Devaney. 

Post by Communications Intern Mariana Sanson.

Chicken & Egg Pictures proudly announced via Women & Hollywood seven new grantees of our 2021 Project: Hatched program. Both short- and feature-length projects will participate. Each project receives $20,000 toward film completion and impact campaigns and filmmaking teams participate in a six-month program with tailored mentorship and goal-setting.

“From water rights to reproductive health, the subjects of Chicken & Egg Pictures’ newest grantees are ones that come up constantly in our cultural and political conversations. These seven films push past the headlines to reveal intimate character studies that investigate how social issues impact everyday lives,” said Program Director Lucila Moctezuma. “For the first time in our Project: Hatched program, two short films were selected alongside features. Not only can shorts act as critical stepping stones to help emerging filmmakers build careers, but they also have strong potential to create impact and engage broader audiences.” 

Please click the granted films titles for more information on each project, and give these passionate and committed women and gender nonconforming directors a warm welcome to the Nest!

And So I Stayed

Directors & producers: Natalie Pattillo, Daniel A. Nelson (SINGAPORE/UNITED STATES)

And So I Stayed is a documentary about survivors of domestic violence who are unjustly incarcerated for killing their abusers in self-defense.

Daughter of a Lost Bird

Director & producer: Brooke Pepion Swaney (UNITED STATES) 
Producers: Jeri Rafter, Kendra Mylnechuk Potter

A Native adoptee reconnects with her birth family and her Lummi heritage—confronting her identity. Her singular story represents many affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act and Indian Adoption Project in the US.

Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust

Director & producer: Ann Kaneko (UNITED STATES)
Producer: Jin Yoo-Kim 

This film poetically weaves together memories of Payahuunadü, “the land of flowing water,” where Native Americans, Japanese-Americans, and environmentalists defend land and water from Los Angeles.

I’m Free Now, You Are Free 

Director: Ash Goh Hua (SINGAPORE) 
Producer: Arielle Knight

I’m Free Now, You Are Free is a short documentary about the reunion and repair between Mike Africa Jr. and his mother Debbie Africa—a formerly incarcerated political prisoner of the MOVE 9.

On The Divide

Directors: Maya Cueva, Leah Galant (UNITED STATES) 
Producers: Melanie Miller, Diane Becker, Amanda Spain, Elizabeth Woodward

On The Divide follows the story of three Latinx people living in McAllen, Texas who, despite their views, are connected by the most unexpected of places: the last abortion clinic on the US/Mexico border. As threats to the clinic and their personal safety mount, these three are forced to make decisions they never could have imagined.

Change The Name

Director & producer: Cai Thomas (UNITED STATES) 
Producer: Donald Conley

Student activists and educators from Village Leadership Academy campaign to change the name of a park from a slaveholder to abolitionists Anna Murray and Frederick Douglass in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood.

Storm Lake 

Directors: Beth Levison, Jerry Risius (UNITED STATES) 
Producer: Beth Levison

Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Cullen and his family fight to protect their Iowan farming community through their biweekly newspaper, The Storm Lake Times—come hell or pandemic.

Read more about Project: Hatched.

Post by 2021 Communications Intern Mariana Sanson.