Exclusive: Film Independent Names Robbie Pickering, Alysa Nahmias & Harry Yoon For Changemaker Award

Los Angeles, CA – Film Independent has announced that Robbie Pickering, Alysa Nahmias, and Harry Yoon will receive the Changemaker Award at the 23rd Artist Development Showcase. This prestigious award recognizes the trio’s significant contributions to the independent film and television landscape.

Alysa Nahmias, director of the critically acclaimed film ‘Cookie Queens,’ has been a part of Film Independent’s esteemed programs, including the 2013 Fast Track finance market and the 2020 Documentary Lab. Her dedication to telling unique and impactful stories has earned her a spot among the Changemaker Award recipients.

Robbie Pickering, the mastermind behind the hit series ‘Gaslit,’ has been associated with Film Independent since 2006, participating in the Screenwriting Lab, the Directing Lab, and the Fast Track finance market. His work has consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling, making him an ideal candidate for the Changemaker Award.

Harry Yoon, an accomplished editor, has taken part in Project Involve in 2004. His expertise in crafting compelling narratives has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous filmmakers. Yoon’s dedication to his craft and his passion for mentoring have earned him a well-deserved place among the Changemaker Award recipients.

According to Angela C. Lee, Film Independent’s Director of Artist Development, ‘We are proud to celebrate visionary artists whose bold storytelling expands our cultural landscape and whose commitment to mentorship ensures a vibrant future.’ The Changemaker Award is a testament to the enduring impact of these individuals on the film industry.

The Changemaker Award has previously been bestowed upon notable figures in the industry, including Academy Award nominees Smriti Mundhra and Pamela Ribon, Independent Spirit Award nominee Tze Chun, and Peabody Award winner Grace Lee. This year’s recipients join an esteemed group of changemakers who have made significant contributions to the world of independent film and television.

The 23rd Artist Development Showcase will take place at the DGA Theater on July 21, featuring a selection of short films made by Film Independent-supported filmmakers. The showcase will provide a platform for emerging talent to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals.

The Changemaker Award recipients will be honored for their dedication to the craft, their passion for storytelling, and their commitment to mentorship. Their contributions to the film industry have been invaluable, and their work continues to inspire and shape the landscape of independent film and television.

The films screening at the 23rd Artist Development Showcase include:

• Dolce, a music video for Dolce’s song ‘Fräknarna,’ directed by J.M. Harper.
• God Sleeps on Sundays, a short film about a fierce rivalry between a traditional healer and a Christian preacher, written and directed by Naishe Nyamubaya.
• Haint, a short film about a Gullah Geechee handywoman who must decide whether to help gentrifiers or leave them to their fate, produced by Selena Leoni and cinematographed by Joewi Verhoeven.
• Living with a Visionary, a short film about a man who must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid hallucinations, produced by Mireira Vilanova.
• Permanent Guest, a short film about a young woman’s world being rattled by the arrival of a relative who forces her to weigh family obligations against her growing discomfort, written, directed, and produced by Sana Zahra Jafri.
• The What, a short film about two hitmen whose routine job unravels when one of them recognizes the target as someone who ghosted him months ago, written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nataanii Cegielski.

These films showcase the diversity and creativity of emerging talent in the film industry and provide a glimpse into the future of independent film and television.