Celebrating a Successful Year of the Screenwriting Mentorship Program
We are proud to announce that we had another successful year with our Screenwriting Mentorship Program! Our cohort this year consisted of seven high school students and seven working screenwriters that were paired up for a one-on-one mentoring experience. Each group tailored their process to meet every student at their experience level, with the goal of having a first draft of a short film by the end of the two months. It was amazing to hear the inspiring, insightful, and intricate stories each young writer brought to the table, and equally as amazing to see the talented mentors educate and encourage their mentees. We saw the students grow, challenge themselves, and build connections with these generous, supportive, and seasoned writers. We want to extend a huge thank you to our mentors who donated their time, energy, and expertise to our students. This program could not exist without you. And students, we hope you all keep writing and exploring! The world needs more storytellers.
August’s Shining Star: Juliana Garcia, Foundation Youth of the Month!
Juliana Garcia, our featured student of the month, is pursuing her passion for filmmaking with unwavering dedication. Her dream is to attend film school, deepen her knowledge of the craft, and ultimately contribute to a major production company. Juliana credits the foundation with providing invaluable support, stating, “This program has supported me to achieve my goals by giving out great advice and opportunities to meet with filmmaker professionals…[it] has helped me grow my aspirations to go into film and has gotten [me] to be in touch with people who have [that] same drive.”
A key takeaway from her mentorship experience has been the encouragement to consistently create and share her work. Juliana’s understanding of the screenwriting process has been transformed, emphasizing the importance of outlining, iterative editing, and a willingness to refine her stories. “This program has made me more confident in my screenwriting and has taught me many great lessons about the film industry and writing stories,” she shares. With her sights set on seeing her stories come to life on the big screen, Juliana’s long-term goal is to continue honing her writing skills and crafting narratives that resonate with audiences.
Foundation’s Legacy and Appreciation Picnic A Success!
What an amazing day at the Foundation’s annual picnic! We’re overflowing with gratitude for everyone who joined us. It was truly special to honor our incredible kids who inspire us daily and to celebrate our tireless volunteers whose dedication makes everything possible. Your support helps us continue the powerful legacy of Joshua James, making a real difference in our community. Thank you for being such a vital part of our Foundation family. We can’t wait to see you at the next event!
Lights, Camera, ACTION! Unleash Your Inner Storyteller with the Dr. Barbra Seniors Harkins Foundation!
ey everyone! Get ready to roll out the red carpet because the Dr. Barbra Seniors Harkins Foundation is thrilled to announce our annual Back to School Screenplay Writing Contest! Why a Screenplay Contest? Here at the Foundation, we believe in the power of collaboration and the magic that happens when creative minds come together. Since 2000, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference through action. What better way to inspire action than through the art of storytelling? Have you ever been watching a film and thought, “I could make this even better!” Well, now is your chance! We want you to bring your visions to life and share them with the world.
Foundation: Upcoming Events:
August, 30: Online Film Screening, “The Tiger’s Apprentice”
September, 27: Online Film Workshop: Television and Film Screenwriters
September 27: Online Film Screening: “Lilo & Stitch”
SUPPORT US
The foundation accepts donations throughout the year for all of its programs. If you would like to donate to the foundation, please visit our website at https://barbaraseniorsharkinsfoundation.org and click “Support Us” in the top right corner.