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
Good Evening,
GREETINGS
ALEXANDRIA DOUGLAS
Assistant Director, FYFF
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
a program of
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
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.
fA 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.
FILM/TV/VOICEACTRESS
JESSICA MIKAYLA
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.
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.
fMYKE MICHAELS AWARD-WINNING MAKE-UPARTIST
YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.
CATEGORY 13-15
Renee Shi
In Another Life
William Moffett
Restoring Coral Reefs
MadelineYutongWong
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 THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH 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
UntilWe Meet Again
YOU MADE THE CUT!
WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.
CATEGORY NON-FICTION 16-18
Celina Ren,Sophia Faraone,Christina Labban
Speed Bumps Ahead
Moses Fleishman
Mayor Max
JesperSeet
Mr. and Mrs. Adams
Mustafa Ali, Elliot Booth, RyanStasinski
Crackman |What It MeansTo Be A Fan
HanaWherry
Hanme
Camhan Ngo
HoaTim
KadySerlin
The Man in the Green and GoldSuitThe JamesWilliamStory
YOU MADE THE CUT!
WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.
CATEGORY FICTION 19-21
Cole Bennett
Best Guess
Tidiane Diallo
Choke
CaitlynShaw
Babble
Jake Pletsch
The Fixer
Andrew Imai
The LastVigil
Ryan Rivera,Yasmin Tohme
ThoseWho Don't
AthmikaSriram
Auntie Patrol
RoseSteel
EMPTY
VincentSpriggs
Mindfull
JoeyTangradi
Hivemind
YOU MADE THE CUT!
WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH 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
SpokenWords
YOU MADE THE CUT!
WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.
CATEGORY FICTION 22-25
Yoey Garfield Unwritten Love
Ethan Hodge PerfectStrike
Helen Hehua Liu
One LastTime
GiovanniStaricco
The Grater Good
Colleen Kellogg Driftwood
Maggie MacDonell Drowned
Lilianna Kincs Continuity
BayTamboury Written Off
Ethan Gough Do PeopleThink We're Gay?
Jayla Alston Her Piece
YOU MADE THE CUT! WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.
CATEGORY NON-FICTION 22-25
ElanaSheperd
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 THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH 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 Krasi a
YOU MADE THE CUT!
WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED FILMS FOR THISYEAR’S FLINTYOUTH FILM FESTIVAL.
CATEGORY EXPERIMENTAL
Lila Caruso
The Letting Go
OdessaWhitlock
Lost Tapes of Antigua 2029
Lauren Chandler
Unforeseen Patterens
MatthewWilbur
Sierras
Kingsley Du Dance with Me
Aika Taguchi Millisecond
Braden Burnside
JohnDoeUntitled MediaInkOn Paper
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.
a program of
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.
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.
