Spotlight on Mahala House & Watsonville Film Festival
Mahala House
A Rise Together grant for $15,000 has launched the “Moms-in-the-Middle” pilot program to provide direct microgrants and resources to single caregivers who are experiencing financial hardship and identify as Black and/or Indigenous in Santa Cruz County. Grants will help reduce income volatility, improve health, and support financial planning. Applications are now open!
Mahala House was founded by Rise Together member Dr. Carmin Powell, her sister Camira, and their mother Sis. Paula L. Powell. Raised on the westside of Santa Cruz, Carmin and Camira wanted to address an overlooked issue while giving back to the community where they grew up.
Watsonville Film Festival
Five emerging Latinx filmmakers will benefit from the new Cine Se Puede Fellowship thanks to a $20,000 Rise Together grant to the Watsonville Film Festival. The fellowship will assist with project funding, mentorship, and pitch sessions with industry professionals that will help local filmmakers reach the next level of their careers.
Rise Together member Consuelo Alba, the co-founder and Executive Director of Watsonville Film Festival, says, “Latinx filmmakers have great stories to tell, but can’t move their projects and careers forward because it is extremely hard to enter an industry where we have been historically excluded. We have talent and passion as filmmakers, but in this region, we have limited access to mentorships, industry connections, and funding. WFF Cine Se Puede Fellowship aims to address that gap.”
Learn more at: https://watsonvillefilmfest.org/