MENTORS & GUEST SPEAKERS
Rise thrives with the support of the following industry luminaries
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Adele Lim is a screenwriter, producer, and director known for her vibrant storytelling. Credits include Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Joy Ride.
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Film writer recognized for her sharp wit and unique voice. Works include Breaking News in Yuba County, Dead Dads Club, and The Mayor
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Fusion Achievement Award-winning filmmaker and television producer recognized for trailblazing storytelling. Credits: The L Word, D.E.B.S., and Professor Marston & the Wonder Women
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Producer and writer celebrated for her sharp writing and diverse projects. Known for You’re the Worst, Mrs. America, and Dave
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Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter known for impactful, socially conscious storytelling. Works include Selma, When They See Us, and A Wrinkle in Time
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Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, director, and producer known for genre-spanning hits. Notable works: American Pie, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and About a Boy
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Filmmaker acclaimed for emotionally driven storytelling. Credits include Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Just Mercy, and Short Term 12
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Screenwriter and film producer known for dynamic and engaging stories. Works include Star Trek Beyond and Confidence
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CEO of Blumhouse Productions and producer of genre-defining films. Notable works: Whiplash, Get Out, and BlacKkKlansman
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Television writer celebrated for her humor and sharp dialogue. Known for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Easter Sunday
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Emmy Award-nominated and Writers Guild of America Award-winning screenwriter celebrated for powerful narratives. Credits: Black Panther, The People vs. O.J. Simpson, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
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Jon M. Chu is a Critics Choice-nominated writer-director recognized for his vibrant and culturally significant films. Known for Crazy Rich Asians and Wicked.
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Kemp Powers is an Academy Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director with a talent for powerful narratives. Credits: Soul, One Night in Miami, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
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Kay Oyegin is an acclaimed producer and writer known for heartfelt storytelling. Credits include This Is Us, On the Come Up, and The Ancestor.
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Phil Lord is an academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA-nominated writer-director renowned for groundbreaking animation and comedy. Credits: The LEGO Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, 21 Jump Street, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
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Robert Rodriguez is an innovative director, composer, and VFX supervisor famous for his dynamic style. Films include From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids, and Alita: Battle Angel.
Year One Circle Alumni
Chris Erric Maddox
Christina Licud
Christina Pamies
Christina Walker
Chuck Lightning
Claudia Restrepo
Claytia Gonsalves
Connor Austin Jones
Corey Dashaun
Courtney Miller
Dani Fernandez
Daniela Bailes
David Aguilar
David L. Williams
Davis Kop
Dennis Liu
Devanshi Patel
Dominique Nieves
Dui Jarrod
Ekwa Msangi
Elaine Del Valle
Eliana Pipes
Elisha Miranda-Ramirez
Elizabeth Choi Bubriski
Elliott Feliciano
Emily Teerasuphaset
Emma Ramos
Erica Mountain
Erika Wade
Lorena Russi
Lynn Chen
Mako Kamitsuna
Mallika Dhaliwal
Mallorie Ortega
Mariah Wilson
Marie Cheng
Marilyn Fu
Mas Moriya
Maura Milan
Maya Cozier
Maya Harris
Meghan Ross
Melissa Murray
Melissa Rundle
Michael Bhim
Michael Flores
Michael Moynihan
Michelle Hsu
Mika Frank
Mimi Davila
Minoti Vaishnav
Mohana Rajakumar
Moni Oyedepo
Morgan Collins
Musa Syeed
Nadria Tucker
Naomi Iwamoto
Naren Henry
Aaron Ho
Adaora Nwandu Earl
Aina Feng
Alejandra Lopez
Allyson Philobos
Alyssa Lerner
Ama Quao
Amarachi Nwosu
Ana Maria Defillo
Andrea Walter
Ariel Relaford
Armani Martin
Austin S. Harris
Barney Cheng
Benedict Chiu
Blaine Morris
Bomani Story
Bradford Bailey
Bradley Estrin-Barks
Brandt Hamilton Hernandez
Brian Shin
C. Quintana
Camille Corbett
Carlton Gillespie
Cedi Ali Rajah
Charity Miller
Chaz Hawkins
Choice Skinner
Jessica Sanders
Jessica Shields
Jianna Maarten Saada
Joe Ross
Joel Perez
Jorge Ramirez-Martinez
Joseph Mwamba
Josephine Green Zhang
Jovan James
JS Mayank
Junot Lee
Justin Calen-Chenn
Justin S. Lee
Kaelo Iyizoba
Kayla Galang
Kayreth Williams
Keisha Ansley
Kelly Edwards
Kelly Lynne D'Angelo
Kendra Cole
Kimberly-Rose Walters
Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence
Kristina Woo
Krystle Drew
Kyle Lau
Lagueria Davis
Laura Di Lorenzo
Laurie Magers
Leon Lozano
Nathan Ramos-Park
Neil Creque Williams
Nickson Kamau
Niki Ang
Nneka Samuel
Norman Garcy Yap
Norman Parker
Olivia Harewood
Opeyemi Olagbaju
Ougie Pak
Paola Tapia-Limon
Paola Villegas Soruco
Paul Leach
Paul Puri
Phinneas Kiyomora
Rashaan Dozier-Escalante
Rasheda Crockett
Ray Smiling
Reenita Hora
Rippin Sindher
Robin Takao D'Oench
Rodrigo Varandas
Ryan Silva
Sade Sellers
Sara Zandieh
Sarai Smith
Sean Quetulio
Shadae Smith
Shamar Curry
Shamikah Christina Martinez
Shari Sharpe
Shea Mirzai
Shequeta Smith
Sherrman Li
Sidney Butler
Skander Halim
Skye Dennis
Sonejuhi Sinha
Stacey Rose
Stefan Dezil
Stephen Reyes
Steven Kung
Tai Leclaire
Tamara Shogaolu
Tamika Lamison
Thymaya Payne
Tian Jun Gu
Tony Koros
Tracy Held
Tricia Lee
Valerie Martinez
Vicki Syal
Vivian Payton
Xavier B.
Yumiko Fujiwara
Zavior Phillips
Erin Li
Eugene Ramos
Evan Iwata
Eve Crusto
Felicia Pride
Gabriela Ortega
Geno Brooks
Gia-Rayne Harris
Gloria Bigelow
Hamza Zaman
Hannah Peterson
Hari Ziyad
Henry Alexander Kelly
Hernan Barangan
Humberto Carlos Guida
Ijaaz Noohu
Jackie Decembly Penn
Jackie Li
Jacqueline Lyanga
Jade WuJames III
Jamie Burton-Oare
Janene Lin
Jasmine Chiong
Jason Cheny
JB Ballard
Jeane Wong
Jennifer Coates
Jerell Rosales
Jess dela Merced