OUR MISSION
To empowers young diaspora and underserved filmmakers with the resources and support to tell impactful stories that make the world a better place.
OUR STORY
Ineffable Films is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers young diaspora and underserved filmmakers with the resources and support to tell impactful stories that make the world a better place.
Our main program helps to get their films ready to succeed in the festival circuit, we provide mentorship, post production support and we pay for lodging and travel to the festivals they get accepted into. While our programs actively support High School and Film School and emerging filmmakers, Ineffable Films is equally an organization for mentors, volunteers, and industry professionals who want a community and to meaningfully support youth and early‑career artists entering film, media, and related creative fields.
Our work centers on building ecosystems of support rather than standalone classes. We bring together filmmakers, educators, technologists, cultural workers, and community leaders to help young storytellers explore identity, global lineage, and rule‑breaking cinematic techniques. Ineffable Films emphasizes international and diasporic perspectives, grounding traditional filmmaking education in cultural context, experimentation, and collaboration.
We operate primarily in San Diego and The Greater Boston area, with growing national partnerships and remote programming. Our long‑term vision includes international exchanges, immersive multimedia experiences, and a global library of culturally rooted filmmaking practices.
OUR PROGRAMS OFFER:
- Filmmaking classes and workshops
- Script breakdowns
- Equipment procurement
- Mentorship
- Film festival submissions
- Awards and grants
- Writing and filmmaking challenges
- College admissions and internships
- International filmmaking & heritage trips
OUR STORY
Ineffable Films is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips diaspora and underserved youth to create festival-ready films that make the world a better place. We provide mentorship, post-production help, and cover travel/lodging for accepted festivals. Based in San Diego and Greater Boston, we unite filmmakers, educators, and technologists to foster culturally grounded, rule‑breaking storytelling and build lasting support networks for the next generation of artists.
KINDNESS
Kindness is how we hold space for stories while still learning how to speak. It is the soil in which trust, truth, and transformation can take root.
EDUCATION
Creativity is the act of remembering what we already carry. It is how the unseen becomes visible, how the unheard becomes felt.
GLOBAL
Every story told is a mirror. In shaping it, we shape ourselves—learning who we are by learning what calls to us from within.
SELF DISCOVERY
To teach is not to fill, but to awaken. We offer tools not to control the craft, but to set the storyteller free.
CREATIVITY
Each culture is a thread in the fabric of what it means to be human. We listen across borders, knowing some truths arrive only when shared in many voices.
MEET THE TEAM
Executive Leadership
Menefese Kudumu-Clavell
President & Executive Director
Dee-Nah Watana
Vice President & Secretary
Merlin Katz
Treasurer & Grant Writer
Menefese Kudumu-Clavell
President & Executive Director
ROLE: Oversees organizational vision, strategic partnerships, and program development.
Dee-Nah Watana
Vice President & Secretary
ROLE: Governance, legal compliance, and administrative oversight.
Merlin Katz
Treasurer & Grant Writer
ROLE: Financial management, budgeting, and grant strategy.
Artistic & Creative Leadership
Madalena Silva
Creative Lead
Matt McGee
Lead Video Editor
Cheyne Mocika
Colorist
Ahmed Sanad
Motion Graphics Designer
Madalena Silva
Creative Lead
EXPERIENCE: Graphic Designer (Google, NE PARADIGM), Brand Strategist
ROLE: Leads visual identity, branding, and immersive storytelling.
Matt McGee
Lead Video Editor
EXPERIENCE: Emmy-nominated editor (Netflix, BMW, Starz)
ROLE: Oversees post-production and editorial quality.
Cheyne Mocika
Colorist
EXPERIENCE: Fashion/Film Colorist (Ferrari, Prada)
ROLE: Ensures cinematic color grading for projects.
Ahmed Sanad
Motion Graphics Designer
EXPERIENCE: Broadcast design (ATN TV, AlRayyan Channel)
ROLE: Creates dynamic motion graphics and animations.
Programmatic & Outreach Leadership
Karim Herrera-Garcia
Programming & Outreach (Boston)
Kayla Bailey
Programming & Outreach (San Diego)
Alison Harik
Fundraising Events & Film Programming
Folahan Shodipo
Film Researcher & Instructor
Derek Biggs
Educational/Mentoring Programs Manager
Karim Herrera-Garcia
Programming & Outreach (Boston)
ROLE: Manages local film programs and partnerships.
Kayla Bailey
Programming & Outreach (San Diego)
EXPERIENCE: Digital storytelling, youth education
ROLE: Develops West Coast engagement initiatives.
Alison Harik
Fundraising Events & Film Programming
EXPERIENCE: Event production (Junior Achievement)
ROLE: Designs fundraising galas and film showcases.
Folahan Shodipo
Film Researcher & Instructor
ROLE: Curates educational content and film curriculum.
Derek Biggs
Educational/Mentoring Programs Manager
ROLE: Leads youth mentorship and training initiatives.
Operations & Talent Development
Dejonae Collins
Internship Director
Vishakha Gupta
Recruitment Director
Tensi Cherry
Project Manager
Claudia Oakley
Operations Manager
Dejonae Collins
Internship Director
EXPERIENCE: HR at Paramount Global
ROLE: Structures internship programs and DEI initiatives.
Vishakha Gupta
Recruitment Director
EXPERIENCE: Data-driven talent strategy (Phablecare, Johnson & Johnson)
ROLE: Optimizes hiring pipelines using analytics.
Tensi Cherry
Project Manager
EXPERIENCE: Certified PM, M.S. Project Management Candidate
ROLE: Structures internship programs and DEI initiatives.
Claudia Oakley
Operations Manager
ROLE: Ensures organizational efficiency and logistics
Technical & Digital Team
Noah Wessels
Data & Analytics Manager
Tate Ridenour
UI/UX & Front-End Designer
Nathaniel Ross
Full Stack Developer & Client Experience Engineer
EXPERIENCE: A versatile Full Stack Developer with 3+ years of professional experience.
Noah Wessels
Data & Analytics Manager
EXPERIENCE: CRM automation, SQL/Python
ROLE: Tracks engagement metrics and campaign performance.
Tate Ridenour
UI/UX & Front-End Designer
EXPERIENCE: Figma, Webflow, ADA compliance ROLE: Enhances digital user experience.
Marketing & Communications
Elizabeth Langbo
Marketing Assistant & Internal Designs
Paga Yang
Social Media Manager
Punya Anand
PR Coordinator & Recruitment Team
Asmin Özdemir
Recruitment Team
Elizabeth Langbo
Marketing Assistant & Internal Designs
EXPERIENCE: Branding (SCAD, WarnerBros)
ROLE: Manages digital/print assets and social media.
Paga Yang
Social Media Manager
EXPERIENCE: SEO, LinkedIn growth (PumpX Fitness)
ROLE: Drives audience engagement and content strategy.
Punya Anand
PR Coordinator & Recruitment Team
ROLE: Public relations and talent recruitment support.
Asmin Özdemir
Recruitment Team
EXPERIENCE: Multidisciplinary artist and connector.
BIO: Hi! I'm Asmin, a multidisciplinary artist from Turkey. I'm passionate about building meaningful connections through visual arts and currently creating experimental music. I'm excited to connect and be a part of this project.
Legal & Advisory
Pranit Chand
Professionals Advisory Board Chair
Pranit Chand
Professionals Advisory Board Chair
ROLE: Guides strategic decision-making.
FAQs
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Ineffable Films is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
