Ashley Maria has been chosen as a quarter-finalist for the Makazan Films Director Program — a chance for an underrepresented Director to receive a substantial credit in children’s programming.
The selected Director will direct a short film for Sesame Street.
The Makazan Film Director Program believes that there are many talented, qualified directors who may need a leg up to be able to build their ‘evidence of greatness’ to get to the next step of their directing career.
The program was created by Paige Morrow Kimball, the founder of Makazan Films and Producer / Director in unscripted TV. Wanting to pay it forward, she is giving an opportunity to a Director who could benefit from having more content on their reel and an HBO credit on an iconic show.
“This is not a school or a shadowing program. We are looking for a director who has already created a body of work and is working to build their reel and credits,” shared Ms. Kimball. “The director will be paid. The pay will be fair and appropriate for independent short filmmaking and specific to the budget.”
“I’m honored and so grateful to have this opportunity. Until women are hired for their potential, we must prove ourselves through our experienced work, explained Ashley Maria. “Thank you to Paige and Makazan Films for creating this chance!”
Paige Morrow Kimball’s Story
“I took time off to raise my two daughters and didn’t foresee how difficult it would be to go back to work. I not only faced the sexism I was already accustomed to, but now, even the people I had established solid working relationships with didn’t want to hire me. It was frustrating. But I didn’t need anyone’s permission to create. So, I made shit, practiced my craft, and built my body of work.
One of the short films I made, PLAY DATE, did well on the festival circuit and I was introduced to a producer at Sesame Street. She liked my film, took a chance, and gave me a shot. I’ve made 15 films for Sesame Street in the last 7 years. This opportunity has allowed me to create meaningful content, build my reel and start my own Production Company.
Climbing the director ladder ain’t easy.
Now I want to pay it forward and give the same opportunity to someone who could benefit from having more content on their reel and an HBO credit on an iconic show. It’s important for me that directing this film will help move the needle for another qualified director.”
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