GlobeNewswire Inc | Sep 8, 2021 08:30AM EDT

September 08, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, Sept. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB), a leader in immersive entertainment experiences and award-winning nonprofit Ghetto Film School (GFS) today announced the winners of the Dolby Institute x Ghetto Film School Filmmaker Challenge: Finish the Script 2021. The competition challenged GFS alumni ages 1835 to create an original short film proposal in response to a creative prompt from award-winning filmmaker Carlos Lpez Estrada (Blindspotting, Raya and the Last Dragon). This years winners include filmmakers representing four different projects Alejandra Araujo, Eleanor Cho, Christian Osagiede, and Antonio Salume and Amy B. Tiong. The winning projects will each receive a $25,000 grant to fund the production costs of their short films, as well as mentorship throughout the production process from Estrada. In addition, a Dolby team will be available to provide inspiration and guidance to the winners on how to best use the ultravivid color of Dolby Vision and the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos to complete their projects. The winning films are currently expected to be showcased at an exclusive live premiere event in Los Angeles in 2022 and distributed on Dolby and GFS digital platforms to a global audience.

Ghetto Film Schools access to top-tier talent and Dolbys premiere audiovisual technologies have led the two organizations to an advantageous partnership, pairing diverse storytellers with the industrys leading innovative technologies to develop impactful stories through motion pictures. Since their original collaboration in 2014, GFS and Dolby have helped bolster the careers of over 8,000 emerging filmmakers annually across the United States. Under this initiative, theyve successfully upheld their mission to support underrepresented voices, advance the creative industry, and promote an inclusive culture through various programs such as the Finish The Script challenge and the EMERGE! Filmmaking Lab.

As a previous recipient of the Dolby Institute Fellowship and frequent collaborator with the Ghetto Film School, I am ecstatic to mentor the winning filmmakers of this competition, which intends to create a more equitable future in film by supporting the voices of emerging filmmakers, said Director Carlos Lpez Estrada.

Its inspiring to continue our eight-year partnership with Dolby, where we have provided opportunities to thousands of young visionaries. Through this program, we have created a vessel for innovative storytellers to kickstart their careers as well as gain the necessary knowledge and competitive skillset to succeed in todays entertainment industry, said Sharese Bullock Bailey, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer and Principal of SCOPE, the consulting arm of GFS.

Ghetto Film School provides great opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers to develop their creative voices and learn their craft, said Dolby Institute Director, Glenn Kiser. Were excited to support these young filmmakers with Dolby technology and resources to get their stories out into the world. Were also thrilled to be working again with Carlos Lpez Estrada, who received the Dolby Institute Fellowship for his movie Blindspotting, to design this years challenge and mentor these amazing young filmmakers. We cant wait to see what they make. See you at the premiere!

For more information about the Dolby Institute x Ghetto Film School Filmmaker Challenge: Finish the Script 2021 please visit: https://www.dolby.com/institute/filmmaker-challenge/finish-the-script/https://www.ghettofilm.org/dolby.

For a press kit, please visit: https://news.dolby.com/en-WW/media_kits/227633

About the FilmmakersWith Shipped Out, Alejandra Araujo (Jamaica, NY) has presented us with an animated short tale that takes place in a dystopian future and touches on immigration, abuses of power, and the strength of family. A native New Yorker with Colombian roots, Alejandra is a graduate of NYUs Tisch School of the Arts and works as a director and editor.

With Dinner is Ready, Eleanor Cho (Artesia, CA) has served up a story that mixes together the love between mother and daughter, the power of food to bring us closer together, and grief. Eleanor is a Korean-American filmmaker who drew inspiration from her immigrant parents hardships to create stories of those underrepresented in film.

Huntedby Christian Osagiede,also known by the artist name Yami,(Los Angeles, CA) mines the horror genre to tackle the difficult emotions of fear, disgust, and envy. Christian considershorror to be at its best when it depicts physical violence/gore as a conduit for the emotional and social violence we experience in our daily lives.A young filmmaker from Houston with roots in the Niger Delta, Christian Osagiede graduated with honors from Stanford University.

Antonio Salume (Mexico City) and Amy B Tiong (Waterbury, CT)Take Care Zora shows both the hardships and joys of raising someone with Down syndrome while also weaving in the coming-of-age story of one of the caretaking siblings. Inspired by the work ethic of her immigrant parents, Amy is a graduate of NYUs Tisch School of the Arts where she was a Deans Scholar. She currently works as a producer's assistant and at Vice Media Group. Antonio grew up in Mexico and has been a visual storyteller since childhood. Also a graduate of Tisch,he now works as a director, writer, and producer.

AboutDolby LaboratoriesDolby Laboratories(NYSE:DLB) is based inSan Franciscowith offices around the globe. From movies and TV shows, to apps, music, sports, and gaming,Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiencesfor billions of people worldwide.We partner with artists, storytellers, developers, and businesses to revolutionize entertainment and communicationswithDolby Atmos,Dolby Vision,Dolby Cinema, andDolby.io.

About The Dolby InstituteThe Dolby Institute was created to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of content creators. Through educational programs, strategic partnerships, and direct artist support, we help creatives think critically and creatively about sound and image, unlocking the power of technology to help tell their stories. To learn more about the Dolby Institute Fellowships or Sound + Image Lab: The Dolby Institute Podcast, visit https://www.dolby.com/institute/

Dolby, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema, Dolby.io, and the double-D symbol are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.Other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

About GFSGhetto Film School (GFS) is an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2000 to educate, develop, and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers. GFS annually serves 8,000 individuals, 1434 years of age. With locations in New York City (est. 2000), Los Angeles (est. 2014), and London (est. 2020), GFS equips students for top universities and careers in the creative industries through two tracks: the Fellows Program an introductory education program for high school students, and the Roster early-career support for alumni and young professionals. Our Fellows Program is a 30-month cinematic storytelling course for high school students. Roster ensures opportunities for GFS alumni and other young professionals so that media professions become accessible to more diverse future generations of visual storytellers. https://www.ghettofilm.org

Media Contacts

Dolby LaboratoriesKaren HartquistKaren.Hartquist@dolby.com

Ghetto Film SchoolAlyx Sealyasealy@hstrategies.com