My birthday was on the 5th, and for the second year in a row I asked for something other than gifts: help open the film industry to new storytellers. Our campaign, A Birthday for Ineffable Films, raised $1,248.

A year earlier, this kind of campaign helped put down our first roots. This year it landed during our busiest stretch yet. Open Hours had grown to hundreds of members, our internship was running across 14 craft tracks, and East Coast vs. West Coast was getting ready for its next round.

Some familiar names came back, and some new ones joined. My Auntie Zawadi wrote that it isn’t easy to pursue your dreams and believe the way I do, then nominated me for president. One longtime supporter wrote how great it was to hear about the program’s continued success. And Gitali gave $5 with a note apologizing for being broke. For the record, she is rich in friendship, and every one of these gifts adds up.

Thank you to Rama, Vasudha, C Morse, Aria, Matilda Ledger, R S, Alina H., Zawadi Powell, Anna Gitali Barton, Rhonda L Haynes, Cousin Tia, Jesse, Alisha, Zack Stern, Claudia Oakley, Zach, Pranit, Madhu, K Mostoufi, Priya Villareal, and every anonymous donor.

It’s never too late to give a belated birthday gift. Support young filmmakers here.

Want to be part of what’s next? Volunteer or partner with us, explore our programs, or support young filmmakers.