Little Ugly, Ghetto Film School, Vimeo, Dolby Institute Partner to Launch EMERGE! Filmmaking Lab

Little Ugly, Ghetto Film School (GFS), Vimeo and Dolby Institute announced today a new 2019 initiative for aspiring filmmakers and creators called EMERGE! FILMMAKING LAB. The EMERGE! program will highlight three exceptional up-and-coming creators and will provide resources for each of the finalists to produce and execute their own short film. The short films created for EMERGE! will be reviewed by a jury of celebrated industry leaders who will determine a grand prize winner. The winner will be rewarded with a trip to Los Angeles where they will have the opportunity to meet agents, managers and other industry professionals to further accelerate their professional journey.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through Ghetto Film School’s Roster Program, a post-graduate program that provides networking opportunities for like-minded individuals looking to break into the film industry. Candidates are not required to have professional experience but should be between ages 18-34 and have a unique perspective on narrative short-form content. Open call will close on May 6 and three finalists will be selected later that month.

Finalists will be granted a production stipend, courtesy of Dolby Institute, and a complementary year-long Vimeo PRO account from the video platform. Little Ugly will provide post-production services along with one-on-one mentoring by award-winning director and Vimeo Staff Pick creator, Carlos Lopez Estrada, producer Kimberly Stuckwisch (founders of LU), and other top industry professionals.

“Being a young filmmaker myself, I fully understand how crucial it is to have a solid support system in place during the first few years of your professional journey as a director,” says Little Ugly director Carlos Lopez Estrada. “A small push in the early stages of a career can make all the difference. Our 3 partners, Ghetto Film School, Vimeo and Dolby, have been invaluable collaborators throughout my professional life as a filmmaker and I am thrilled to offer an opportunity for other directors to work closely with these incredible organizations.”  

“In launching this program, we are creating a production vehicle for innovative storytellers ages 18-34 looking to kickstart their careers. We believe in our artists and will provide meaningful, professional experiences and connections through EMERGE! Leveraging the resources and skill sets of GFS, Little Ugly, Vimeo and other supporters will provide a pathway toward success for our inclusive and elite community of independent artists,” says Sharese Bullock-Bailey, Chief Strategy & Partnership Officer at GFS.

“Vimeo is always looking for ways to honor great storytelling, to celebrate diverse voices, and to highlight the next generation of creators. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with GFS and Little Ugly, and to offer this exciting opportunity to the talent of tomorrow. We can’t wait to see what they create,” said Derick Rhodes, VP of Creator Programs at Vimeo.  

To apply and learn more about the program, visit https://www.ghettofilm.org/emerge.

About Vimeo

Vimeo empowers video creators of all kinds to tell exceptional stories and connect with their audiences and communities. Home to more than 80 million members in over 150 countries, Vimeo is the world’s largest ad-free open video platform and provides powerful tools to host, share and sell videos in the highest quality possible. Headquartered in New York City and with offices around the world, Vimeo is an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IAC). Learn more atwww.vimeo.com.