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Award-winning producer Stephanie Allain (Hustle & Flow, Dear White People) has announced eight UCLA TFT students as recipients of the UCLA TFT Promise Social Impact Producing Scholarship, which launched in July 2020. Aimed at attracting and retaining the brightest and most talented students in the field of social impact entertainment producing, this year’s recipients include Elena Aksenova, Sarah Marie Flores, Christopher Janney, Ethan Landzberg, Austin Ogletree, Khadija Roane, Changhui Shi and Savana Luê Vagueiro da Fonseca.

The Promise Social Impact Producing Scholarship, inspired by the 2017 Armenian Genocide drama, The Promise, which was instrumental in the successful campaign toward U.S. congressional recognition of the massacre, is awarded to multiple recipients, called Promise Scholars, who are selected by UCLA TFT producing faculty. The scholarship fund is allocated to both incoming and current students who demonstrate their past, present, and future dedication to social impact entertainment.

The Promise Scholars are from diverse backgrounds and draw on their life’s experiences to inspire change and disrupt social norms through content creation, whether it’s to end stigmas, to evoke empathy, to address racial inequalities or to amplify the voices and stories of underrepresented and underserved communities. Many of the Promise Scholars have produced, directed and/or written scripts for films and have worked with film festivals, cultural institutions and nonprofits in the entertainment space.

“I’m so proud to announce this year’s recipients of The Promise Social Impact Producing Scholarship and to give these bright and talented students access to resources and education that will shape them into future social impact leaders,” says Allain. “Each of these aspiring young producers has demonstrated the importance of utilizing their diverse voices and I have no doubt that they will make an impact on how we create and consume entertainment. We’re excited to see what they create.”

In a joint statement, Producers Guild of America Presidents Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher said, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize these truly talented emerging voices in our field and look forward to one day welcoming them to the PGA and commemorating their achievements.”

UCLA TFT and the PGA have enjoyed a decades-long relationship through the creation of The PGA/UCLA Vision Award. The award is presented annually at the UCLA TFT Student Film Festival to celebrate distinguished producers selected by UCLA TFT who uphold the highest standards in the field of producing. Stephanie Allain was the recipient of the 2020 PGA/UCLA Vision Award and will be presented with the award when public gatherings resume.

Posted: March 24, 2021