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"The Caucus Award was a dream come true, and the Caucus has made ALL the difference in my life! This grant allowed me to complete my NYU thesis film -- which is now on IFC and on television in
Japan and Europe -- AND the generous and ongoing mentoring by the Caucus is helping me make the challenging and exciting transition into the professional world.
I wouldn't have had a fighting chance if it weren't for my new family -- the Caucus."
- Eva Saks, New York University Film School
"Receiving the Caucus Foundation grant was just the beginning. With it came meetings, dinners, the Outstanding Student Film Award, an
additional grant from the Caucus, and a generous donation from Panavision. I will be forever grateful to the Caucus Foundation for encouraging my efforts
and helping me follow my dreams."
- Brian David Lazarte, University of Cincinnati
"When I last spoke to you I had asked if you could give me any leads to any other possible funding.
You said one of the primary reasons behind the creation of this grant was because of the lack of finishing funds available.
Well, you were right. You (The Caucus Foundation) are a great resource."
- Alberto Barboza, UCLA
"The Caucus Foundation has helped not just my career, but also the careers of the young Latino actors
who starred in their first film. Now they will have a way to showcase their talent."
- Alexandra Martinez Kondracki, NYU
"As a student filmmaker, there is a constant dearth of money and physical help. At the same time, there is a
deep-set need (for most of us) to develop a personal voice and unique style. For me, the Caucus Foundation grant has recognized
both parts of this equation—which is a wonderful thing. I’m so grateful to be a grant recipient this year."
- Keshni Kashyap, UCLA
"In an industry where women directors are underrepresented, it is wonderful to have the support of such a noteworthy group of
professionals."
- Sarah Johnson, USC
"We are privileged and grateful to receive the Caucus Foundation grant. We see it as not only funds, but professional mentorship
from members of the Caucus accepting us into the industry."
- Karen Alex Pyudik, AFI
"I would very much like to thank the Caucus Foundation for making it possible for me to finish ‘Casablanca.’ As a direct result of your kind support,
I am screening ‘Casablanca’ at the Sundance Film Festival. Thanks once again for making this all possible."
- Mike Saenz, USC
"I also wanted to say thank you again for the festival invitations that have come along with the winning the Caucus grant. It is so great to have the
extra exposure of being invited to these festivals, and these various events have also given me an opportunity to get to know my fellow grant winners
who are a wonderful group of filmmakers. My film premiere was at a festival I was invited to through the Caucus and then my film won! This has
been a wonderful way to launch my film onto the festival circuit and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all that the Caucus Foundation has
done to help my film."
- Diane Lisa Johnson, USC
"I'd like to once again thank the Caucus Foundation for their generous grant and support. I've not only been able to meet other new
filmmakers through the Caucus events, but I've also had the wonderful pleasure of meeting and learning from members of the Caucus, like John
Moffitt, Gary Grossman, Randall Dark, and my mentor Roger Gimbel. The Caucus Foundation grant is truly the best grant a student filmmaker
could hope to win, and I thank you for that."
- Jerry Chan, USC
"I have made several short films in my young life, but never did I have the opportunity to finish them on a 35mm print. That is, until
receiving the grant from The Caucus Foundation. This might seem like a prestige factor, the opportunity to be a part of history and embrace a
dying art form. But the romantic in me prefers to call it something else - realizing a dream. Thanks for helping it come true."
- Adam Schlachter, AFI
"Not only did the Caucus grant give me the funds to finish my thesis film exactly as I’d envisioned it, but it also gave me the opportunity to
work with an industry mentor. Bob Finkel’s invaluable wisdom and guidance challenged me to reach farther than I would have on my own. To
then be selected by such esteemed members of the film industry to receive the Outstanding Student Film Award is an honor I will always treasure.
I feel immensely proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of the Caucus program."
- Nicole Haeusser, UCLA
"What the Caucus Grant means to me is of course an opportunity to finish my film as well as I’d envisioned it. But it also was a
wonderful surprise to discover that there was actually a group of people out there who are genuinely out to help me and the other young
filmmakers achieve our dreams. Everyone has been so kind, with no agenda other than to help. It is a pleasure to know that there are
people in the world willing to reach out and mentor your career on the basis of seeing your efforts and ideas."
- Ann Husaini, Columbia University
"I have been unable to complete my Thesis film for about a year until receiving the Caucus’ Completion Grant. The Foundation’s
generous gift has financially catapulted me to the finishing line, and I am very grateful for it. Receiving the Grant is also a boost to my belief that
the story I wanted to tell was wroth telling. It has given me the confidence and the drive to continue with my work and to strive towards better
filmmaking."
- Angela How, UCLA
"Overall, The Caucus Foundation means a support system, an institution that genuinely cares about the outcome of my film
and the beginning of my career as a filmmaker. We filmmakers are entering a world where everyone wants to be someone and so few
ever will “make it” and a little encouragement in the beginning of the uphill battle is really quite comforting and I cannot express how deeply
appreciative I am of all the care and support The Caucus Foundation has awarded me."
- Gillian Munro, Chapman
"The amazing contribution that The Caucus Foundation made enabling the most polished completion of my film is, however,
only one way in which The Caucus Foundation Grant has been incredibly meaningful to me. I have only just begun a relationship with a
Anne Hopkins from The Caucus who is a wonderful role model, inspiring me and offering guidance as I try to establish my own path from
film school into the film industry. It is clear her mentorship will encourage and challenge me to the best and most honest filmmaker I can be,
and it is an honor to have that support and guidance."
- Rain Breaw, USC
"The support of The Caucus Foundation is a true honor and has been critical to the completion of my film. Simply put, The Caucus
Foundation provides award recognition coupled with substantial financial support. A rare combination, indeed!"
- James Darling
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