The First Ever Andy Awards Film Festival!
On August 12th, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) hosted our first Andy Awards Film Festival, featuring videos created by nine participants who completed the AFJ Story Crew film internship program. The six-week course, held at our Lower East Side community center, was led by videographer Gary Wachter and a host of guest professionals. The course included hands-on training on how to use professional equipment and culminated in each participant scripting, taping, and editing their individual videos. AFJ combined the training program with NYC’s Summer Youth Program (SYEP), ensuring that each participant received a salary for the duration of the course.
Our participants’ video topics ranged from nail salon careers to dogs to a study of the subway system and the impact of over policing on our City’s youth. After each video presentation, judges Namakula Mu, NYC artist, actor and producer, and Bill Muench, documentarian & cinematography instructor, analyzed each participant’s video for the audience. The judges presented awards unique to each story and skillset demonstrated in the films. The audience, which consisted of family members, friends, and supporters, also had an advance look at a moving public service announcement about AFJ created by Chimney Studios as a pro bono project. At the end of the evening, each participant was gifted a video camera generously donated by Carol Ott and her colleagues at Habitat Magazine.
Best Documentary: Minah's ManiBar: The Journey by Aminah
Best Screenplay: Police Brutality by Nasir
Best Music Video: Save My Soul (Official Video) by David
Best Autobiographical Documentary: Tyreek’s Workout Journey by Tyreek
Best AFJ Story: My AFJ Story by Carlos
Best Comedy: AFJ Brain Teaser: 5 Questions by Menkie
Community Engagement Award: The MTA by Antonio
Best Editing: Peach Tree Garden by Wilmarven
Best PSA: i love my dog by Dajuan
This successful summer internship with SYEP could not have happened without Gary Wachter, AFJ’s Story Crew 2021 Internship Coordinator and Director. Gary dedicated his time, energy, expertise and professional network resources to our program participants----for which AFJ is very grateful!
Special thank you to all of the guest lecturers that came and presented physically and/or virtually to our summer interns to share their professional experience and advice for entering the film industry.
Todd Liebler Director of Photography, Anthony Bourdain
Max Blecker Editor, "We All We Got"
Keith McQuirter Director, "Whatever Means Necessary--The Godfather of Harlem"
Elivia Shaw Director, "The Clinic Screener"
Jon Hokanson – Cameraman & Director of Photographer, "Savoy Night"
David Nelson – Producer
Andrew Leland – Podcaster
Joshue Ott – Augmented Reality Specialist
Haley Ott – Reporter, CBS News
Andy Hayward – Reporter, Vice News
Bill Muench – Cinematography Teacher & Director, "The Artist & The Astronaut"
Julie Hershan – Producer, Chimney Group
Lez Rudge – Director, Chimney Group
Namakula Mu – Actor & Voice Over Actor
