Program Journal - FYFF 2025 - FINAL

VOICES OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF FILMMAKERS PRESENTED BY

JULY 17-20, 2025

WELCOME JUSTIN R. BROWN

Eight-Time Emmy®Award Winner Director, FYFF On behalf of the Board of Directors, Host Committee and the Executive Planning Committee, it is with extreme pride and pleasure that we welcome you to the 8th Annual Flint Film Festival Awards which serves as the organization’s signature fundraiser for the year!

Thank you for joining us this evening as we celebrate exceptional young filmmakers and pay tribute to their extraordinary achievements.

The 10th Annual Flint Youth Film Festival shines a spotlight on filmmakers ages 25 and younger. The festival is designed to educate, celebrate and encourage youth filmmakers by screening officially selected work, encouraging their creative activities, providing informative workshops, and culminating with the Awards Ceremony.

The Flint Youth Film Festival is sponsored by iMichigan Productions, Flint Institute of Arts Museum and Art School, Share Art Genesee, James A. Welch Foundation, A.G. Bishop Charitable Trust, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. This activity is supported in part by Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. There is no way to measure the gratitude we have for all our distinguished corporate sponsors.

Thank you and enjoy!

Justin R. Browns Justin R. Brown Award Winning Writer, Director, Director, FYFF

GREETINGS ALEXANDRIA DOUGLAS Assistant Director, FYFF Good Evening, We’re so grateful for everyone who helped make this evening a success. We are thrilled to be here celebrating phenomenal filmmakers. None of this would have been possible without the help of our sponsors whose generous support allows us to continue our impactful work with aspiring youth in the year ahead.

The heart of what we do is our filmmakers. These young people embrace challenges, see mistakes as opportunities to learn, and persist in the face of setbacks.

We must express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for joining us virtually tonight and consistently supporting the mission. Your help contributes to the continuation of this important work.

Regards

Alexandria Douglas

Alexandria Douglas Assistant Director, FYFF

JULY 17, 2025 OPENING RECEPTION PROGRAM Opening Remarks ALEXANDRIA DOUGLAS FYFF Assistant Director | iMichigan Productions Introductions JUSTIN R. BROWN 8-Time Emmy®Award Winner | FYFF Director Honorary Hosts JESSICA MYKALA | FILM/TV/VOICE ACTRESS DUSABLE LEWIS | ACTOR, FILMMAKER Introduction FYFF Featured Films Questions Crackman \ What It Means To Be A Fan Perfect Strike Mortem Best Guess Sundowning In the Magazines iMichigan Productions Legacy Award MYKE MICHAELS 2-Time Academy Award Winner

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JULY 17, 2025 OPENING RECEPTION PROGRAM Introduction FYFF Featured Films JUSTIN R. BROWN Driftwood Hartwick Do People Think We’re Gay? Drowned Babble Organic Network Talk Back with Filmmakers JUSTIN R. BROWN CAITLYN SHAW (BABBLE) MAGGIE MACDONELL (DROWNED) RYAN HOMROCKY (HARTWICK) ETHAN GOUGH (DO PEOPLE THINK WE’RE GAY?) COLLEEN KELLOGG (DRIFTWOOD) DONNA ULLRICH Producer, Board Member, iMichigan Productions Closing Remarks JUSTIN R. BROWN a program of

SCHEDULE FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025 Set the Scene: Makeup Artistry for film & TV 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM FEATURING MYKE MICHAELS FILM FESTIVAL Movie Screenings 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Presented by Mott Community College Mott Regional Technology Center | 1401 E Court St, Flint, MI 48503 SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM FYFF On the Big Screen Special Screening & Talk Back CINEMARK FLINT WEST 14 | 1591 S Graham Rd, Flint, MI 48532 SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 10th ANNIVERSARY FYFF CELEBRATION FYFF AWARDS PRESENTATION Ferris Wheel | 615 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

TICKETS ARE FREE MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND WWW.FLINTYOUTHFILMFESTIVAL.COM FUNDED BY:

JULY 20, 2025 CLOSING RECEPTION PROGRAM Opening Remarks ALEXANDRIA DOUGLAS FYFF Assistant Director iMichigan Productions Introduction FYFF Special Awards JUSTIN R. BROWN 8-Time Emmy®Award Winner FYFF Director Industry Award Heart Award Audience Choice Award Award Presentation Closing Remarks JUSTIN R. BROWN

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HONORARY HOST Jessica Mikayla is a rising star whose credits span Disney+, FX, Showtime, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and more. She was nominated for a 2024 NAACP Image Award and won the 2023 SOVAS Award for Outstanding Voiceover in Hawa on Amazon Prime.

Her voice is featured in Disney Jr’s Ariel, LOL Surprise!, Stillwater, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Chi, Mindhunter, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

On screen, Jessica has appeared in Fresh Off the Boat, You’re the Worst, and Diary of a Future President. She earned another 2024 NAACP Image Award nomination for Disney’s Launchpad: Project CC. A proud Compton native, Jessica volunteers as a Children’s Church Leader and advocates for literacy and gun violence prevention. In 2023, she was named a Rising Star Honoree by EmpowHer and has led voiceover workshops while serving as an emcee at youth events.

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JESSICA MIKAYLA S

ES FILM/TV/VOICE ACTR

HONORARY HOST DuSable Lewis Jr. is an emerging voice in digital filmmaking and a passionate advocate for youth empowerment.

As manager of boxing champion Claressa Shields, he brings leadership and vision to both sports and media. A Flint native, DuSable uses storytelling to uplift his community, creating impactful content that reflects real-life struggles and triumphs.

His work as a filmmaker and mentor inspires the next generation to find their voice and pursue their dreams.

Through film, workshops, and community outreach, DuSable is committed to using media as a tool for transformation, representation, and lasting social change.

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DUSABLE LEWIS JR. ACTOR, FILMMAKER

HONOREE Myke Michaels is an award-winning makeup artist best known for his acclaimed work on the hit series Stranger Things. A Los Angeles native and former martial artist, Myke began his career in front of the camera before discovering his true passion behind the scenes—bringing characters to life through makeup artistry. With years of experience across film, television, and theater, he has collaborated with top directors and actors to create iconic looks and stunning special effects. Myke’s innovative approach blends traditional techniques with cuttingedge methods, earning him industry recognition and multiple award nominations. His transformative designs have been featured in major films and publications, cementing his reputation as a leader in the field. A dedicated mentor, Myke shares his expertise through workshops and masterclasses, inspiring the next generation of artists. His creative vision continues to leave a powerful mark on the world of storytelling and visual design.

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MYKE MICHAELS AWARD-WINNING MAKE-UP ARTIST

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY 13-15 Renee Shi In Another Life William Moffett Restoring Coral Reefs Madeline Yutong Wong Happy Fish Paul McHugh & Ben Bracaleone IGNORE Xena Sehgal Dread Julian Fellah Questions

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY FICTION - 16 - 18 Lily Andrews Stray Dean Gofnung Wired Zoe Kline In the Magazines Sofia Macias Resonance Xana Sterling Marine Charlotte Coffey Life Of The Party

Esai Nathaniel Martinez, David Diego Ervin Brothers Lily Andrews Tea Tales: The Peppermint Perils Davis Knocke Tinkle Andrew Joseph Mikos Mortem Julia Contreras Until We Meet Again

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY NON-FICTION 16-18 Celina Ren, Sophia Faraone, Christina Labban Speed Bumps Ahead Moses Fleishman Mayor Max Jesper Seet Mr. and Mrs. Adams Mustafa Ali, Elliot Booth, Ryan Stasinski Crackman | What It Means To Be A Fan Hana Wherry Hanme Camhan Ngo Hoa Tim Kady Serlin The Man in the Green and Gold Suit The James William Story

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY FICTION 19-21 Cole Bennett Best Guess Tidiane Diallo Choke Caitlyn Shaw Babble Jake Pletsch The Fixer Andrew Imai The Last Vigil

Ryan Rivera, Yasmin Tohme Those Who Don't Athmika Sriram Auntie Patrol Rose Steel EMPTY Vincent Spriggs Mindfull Joey Tangradi Hivemind

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY NON-FICTION 19-21 Peyton Burton Untapped Lucas Stall Sundowning Ryan Rivera, Claire Protano Pieces of Time Sarah McFeely New Paths, Old Roads Hanna Peresztegi Spoken Words

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY FICTION 22-25 Yoey Garfield Unwritten Love

Maggie MacDonell Drowned

Ethan Hodge Perfect Strike

Lilianna Kincs Continuity

Helen Hehua Liu One Last Time

Bay Tamboury Written Off

Giovanni Staricco The Grater Good

Ethan Gough Do People Think We're Gay?

Colleen Kellogg Driftwood

Jayla Alston Her Piece

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY NON-FICTION 22-25 Elana Sheperd Organic Network Ryan Homrocky, Anthony Batayeh, Luke Madorski, Reece Wooten Hartwick David Huu Nguyen Gribs* (Grebes)

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY ANIMATION Mana Inoue Persona Colton Dillard Page to Page Michael Hubble Button Eyes Nikki Behjat Zarina

Kimberly Jiali Peh, Katherine Marie Hogan Don't Feed The Unicorn Dylan Kaufmann Stay Sophie Schmid Ursa Minor Petar Cvijanovic Destiny's Krasiva

YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.

CATEGORY EXPERIMENTAL Lila Caruso The Letting Go

Aika Taguchi Millisecond

Odessa Whitlock Lost Tapes of Antigua 2029

Braden Burnside JohnDoeUntitled MediaInkOn Paper

Lauren Chandler Unforeseen Patterens Matthew Wilbur Sierras Kingsley Du Dance with Me

Daniel Hur Apoptosis Kathleen Hoang Goodbye and Hello to My Dad

BOARD MEMBER DONNA ULLRICH Producer Co-Founder iMichigan Productions Donna Ullrich is an accomplished communications professional with a proven track record in both practice and academia. Her expertise spans public relations, grant writing, and higher education, making her a valuable asset to iMichigan Productions. She has a M.A. in mass communication and a law degree from the University of Detroit. She also has a certification in etiquette and protocol, Donna’s ability to effectively communicate complex ideas, coupled with her experience in managing large-scale projects, has been instrumental in the success of iMichigan initiatives.

Her recognition includes Five EMMY nominations for iMichigan Productions’ “The Michigan Experience: The American Civil War Years, (2011,2012),” St John Street Story of a Neighborhood (2024) Home Bittersweet Home (2024), The Horrors of Jim Crow (2025). She has also authored children's books, including “Oh, My Word” (2018) and “I Knew You’d Understand” (2016), illustrated by UMFlint art students and faculty.

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FREE MOVIE PASSES

Welcome Film Lovers

Discover the All-New, Tuition-Free Film Appreciation Academy young movie-goers and aspiring filmmakers have been waiting for!

SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT WORKSHOP SERIES TODAY! www.filmappreciationacademy.com

PLANNING COMMITTEE RON BAILEY

JUSTIN R. BROWN

RODNEY W. BROWN

Community Outreach Director

FYFF Director

Co-Founder

SHEILA GILMORE

WILLIAM REDWINE

CORY TAYLOR

Producer | Mktg. Director

Producer

Director of Photography

ALEXANDRIA DOUGLAS

FYFF Assistant Director

DONNA ULLRICH

PHIL WISE

Producer

Director, Veteran Narratives

More info visit our website

Deshawntray Coleman Filmmaker

www.imichiganproductions.com

ABOUT US Founded by Award-winning television producer, Rodney W. Brown, iMP is a non-profit corporation that combines media production with education. iMP’s Flagship program, the Flint Youth Film Festival introduces the art of filmmaking to young filmmakers between the ages of 13 and 25 and provides these young filmmakers with venues for developing their storytelling talent.

FILM APPRECIATION ACADEMY For ages 13-25, this interactive online curriculum offers younger students the opportunity to watch major motion pictures and explore with the moderator all aspects of film making --- production elements and values, techniques and skills, plots and meaning, expression and voice, as well as career opportunities.

YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT YMP provides experiential learning opportunities for future filmmakers, to continue preserving the many stories of America's Veterans with the help of these students and offering student workshops at community hubs throughout the city with opportunities to work with professional mentors.

FLINT’S GOT TALENT Flint’s Got Talent shines a spotlight on young talent ages 13-25, in Flint, Michigan. FGT provides youth with a healthy, positive, and public experience that reinforces their self-worth and strengthen their skills in front of and behind the camera. iMichigan Productions serves as a bridge to media jobs in the 21st Century.

FLINT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL The Flint Youth Film Festival introduces the art of filmmaking to young filmmakers under the age of 25. It provides these young filmmakers with venues for developing their storytelling talents as well as opportunities to share creative work with peers, the public and professional filmmakers and screenwriters.

615 S. Saginaw Street | Suite 1011 | Flint, Michigan 48502 | www.imichiganproductions.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank all of our Generous Sponsors, Donors and Contributors, Program Speakers, Executive Planning Committee Members, Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers.

FUNDED BY: