From L to R: Film Independent president Josh Welsh, Brandon Lake, the recipient of the inaugural Project Involve LAIKA Animation Fellowship, and LAIKA president & CEO Travis Knight. (Photo Credit: Eric Charbonneau.)

LOS ANGELES -- Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the LA Film Festival, and acclaimed animation studio LAIKA (whose most recent film, Kubo and the Two Strings, is nominated for two Academy Awards), have announced a second year of the LAIKA Animation Fellowship in Project Involve.

The LAIKA Animation Fellowship provides a $10,000 grant to an animator in Project Involve, Film Independent’s signature diversity mentorship program which fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. Project Involve alumni include Effie T. Brown (Dear White People), Jon M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Step Up 2: The Streets); Cherien Dabis (Amreeka, Empire), Kahlil Joseph (Lemonade), Tina Mabry (Queen Sugar) and Justin Simien (Dear White People).

The LAIKA Animation Fellowship was created in 2016 and was awarded to animator Brandon Omari Lake. The Fellowship underwrote Lake’s participation in Project Involve and includes a $10,000 unrestricted cash grant for the filmmaker. Inspired at an early age by Caribbean folktales and the works of Disney and Rankin-Bass, Lake graduated in 2013 with an MFA in Animation and the Digital Arts from the University of Southern California. Since then his professional portfolio of work has grown and diversified, including Robot Chicken, Bratz, Buddy Thunderstruck, Verizon, and most recently two Honda Spots (“Paper”, “The Power of Ridgeline”) with animation director, PES. Additionally Lake has produced several short films, two of which have been accepted into festivals including KLIK Animation and the Philadelphia Film Festival.

“We’re living in a golden age of animation right now, and the work done at LAIKA is jaw-droppingly original and unique,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “We’re so happy to continue this partnership with them, and to be able to provide critical support to talented animators from under-represented backgrounds.”

“Film is at its best when it meaningfully reflects, connects with, and fosters insight into the world around us,” said Travis Knight, President & CEO of LAIKA, who made his directorial debut in 2016 with the acclaimed animated film Kubo and the Two Strings, recently nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Animated Feature Film. “And the world around us is a rich tapestry of voices and experiences. Encouraging and mentoring a new generation of bold, diverse voices and visions benefits us all. Which is why LAIKA is thrilled to continue our support of Film Independent’s Project Involve program. We look forward seeing how these inspiring artists enrich and expand the art and scope of cinema in the years to come.”

Project Involve is a free nine-month program for writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers and entertainment executives from diverse backgrounds. During the program, participants meet one-on-one with film industry mentors, create short films, attend master-workshops taught by top film professionals and industry networking events. Project Involve Fellows receive passes to the Film Independent Forum, Directors Close-Up and LA Film Festival. The 2017 Project Involve participants were selected based on the quality of their projects, their passion, vision, talent, and commitment to pursuing a career in the film industry.

For information on all past Film Independent Fellows, visit the online Film Independent Talent Guide.

Film Independent’s Project Involve is supported by Artist Development Lead Funder Time Warner Foundation and Project Involve Shorts Lead Funder Kiehl’s Since 1851. Principal Sponsors include EFILM | Company 3, HBO, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television, National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The program is also supported by AbelCine, Amazon Studios, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Focus Features, FOX HBCU Media Alliance, LAIKA, Participant Media and The Camera House.

Source: Film Independent