Production Assistant Certification Program Inaugural Cohort

Justice for My Sister has created and launched a one-of-a-kind Production Assistant Certification Program exclusively for filmmakers of color. The inaugural cohort, of 31 fellows, will participate in an 8-week curriculum followed by job placement opportunities for participants based in the greater Los Angeles area. Graduates from Justice for My Sister’s PA Certification Program will go on to obtain crew positions on JFMS-produced content, as well as positions on networks such as WarnerMedia and production companies such as Blumhouse Productions.

Interested in hosting sponsored PAs or applying to an upcoming cohort? Visit the Applications page to get started, or email info@justiceformysister.org for details.

  • Alexandra Azuike is a Screenwriter delivering satire crafted in immersive worlds to help the betterment of society. She is very confident when it comes to addressing audiences and more than willing to offer help where it’s needed. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Television, Film, and Media, she is dedicated to bringing her perspective and others of the world to life. Drawing from both her Nigerian and Dominican backgrounds, she aims to incorporate the beauty of her own cultures while highlighting others, to facilitate the essence of coming together.

  • Born in New York, Michelle has a litany of experience; both in social work and within entertainment. She has landed numerous campaigns, commercials, and fit modeling gigs. She has two degrees; a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree. She has also completed three years of PhD courses and was awarded three separate scholarships to attend Upright Citizen’s Brigade (UCB) where she completed both their Improv and Sketch programs. Currently, she writes television pilots telling stories with non-nuanced black characters focusing on identification, healing, and self-empowerment. Her superpower is comedic timing and fast dialogue pacing. She’s the definition of a go-getter.

  • Catherine Bolaños is an upcoming production assistant from Los Angeles dedicated to building creative teams in all stages of development. She is valued as a capable leader ensuring production events are executed efficiently.

  • Eduardo Bracamontes is an aspiring director from Los Angeles, CA. His varied experiences through art have helped shape his outlook on life as he views art as a powerful tool for creating needed change. His collegiate and extracurricular studies have allotted him knowledge in art history, theatre, and film theory. He has acted in front of the camera for both independent and professional productions, but he now seeks to be involved behind the camera. Currently, he works at Warner Bros. Studios and wants to help diversify and enlighten the industry through the stories being told on screen.

  • Desiree Carcamo (they/she) is an astrology-obsessed Gen Z and very superstitious scientist once raised in a haunted house that used to be owned by devil worshippers. They tell real stories for quirky, occasionally existential, and paradoxical people. Raised by their savvy, overprotective single-mother and their grandmother, a carwasher who hustled to feed five kids in LA during the 80s, Desiree is inspired by strong, smart, jaded, and loving women. Once a closeted queer in a toxic, conservative So-Cal Christian high school, they are now an openly queer Mexican-Salvadoran-American writer, director, performer, and researcher from South Central LA and the Inland Empire. What makes them whole, happy, and grounded is spending their time with their family and friends, gardening, hiking, and traveling.

    Being unexpectedly cast in their uni's dance showcase activated the storyteller inside Carcamo. Since then, they are writing alumni from the Disney-NHMC Series Writer program (2021), won NBCU-Nosotros' Ya Tu Sabes! Monolog Slam (2020), and are a director in the CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge Program (2022). Carcamo interned in film and TV development at MACRO and earned their combined master-bachelors of bioengineering at University of California Riverside.

  • Sannii Crespina-Flores is a teaching artist, advocate, and activist for youth and women. A member of the Writers Guild of America(East) Indie Caucus and founder of the Un-Inhibited Muse Film Festival, the Do Remember Me Project, and the Yram Collective, she is committed to building community, sharing the art of storytelling, and archiving. She has received grants and awards to create works for independent television and cultural organizations. She has written two books of poetry, an audiobook and a book of short stories currently on Amazon Books. She was awarded the grand prize for the short story challenge at the 15th Sundance Film Festivals and has screened at the 60th Cannes Film Festival.

  • As a Chicago native, with an educational background in broadcasting performance and emphasis on news and music business, Tavia relocated to Los Angeles with a heart for Hollywood. As a forever evolving creative: poet, actress, voice over artist, and songwriter, she is looking to add producer to her repertoire. Having interned with working industry professionals, and experience with major Hollywood studios, Tavia is confident that the Justice for My Sister collective will further prepare her for the career that she's diligently been working towards in entertainment. She is humbled and overjoyed to be a member of this inaugural cohort, and grateful for the opportunity to be the representation that is much needed and deserved within the industry. Although great strides have been made, women, people of color, and all communities deserve justice continuously every day. It is her honor to be an ingredient in the recipe for change.

  • Jazmin’s initial love for film began when she got the opportunity to work as an intern at Radar Pictures in 2015. For almost an entire year, she read a number of scripts and wrote coverage for them which helped her understand the script and storytelling process. In the beginning of 2017, she got the opportunity to be a Production Assistant for a film titled Itsy Bitsy which was the first time she was on a real film set and got to get a closer look at how the filming portion of films was. Later that same year, Jazmin wrote, directed and produced her very first short film that she submitted for a film contest.

  • C.L Flores, a.k.a seaflo_G, is a multi-medium artist, writer, and artivist dedicated to advocating and accessing safe creative spaces for QTBIPOC folks. C was born and raised in Hawthorne, CA. C tells the stories of non-binary Xicans through multi-media interpretations of everyday life in Los Angeles and xeir hometown. Xer's visions focuses on today’s immigrant families and first generation LGBTQIA+ Latine-Americans. C. utilizes xeir methods of expression as a form of healing, which is one of the general themes of xeir work. The intention to invoke the interpretation of waves of emotions and mental health struggles. Their works have been exhibited in Viva la Muxer and SELA Arts Festival.

  • Cristina Flores is a 26 year old LA Native carrying her Mexican and Salvadorean roots. She is currently obtaining her BA in Film and Social Justice at Mount Saint Mary’s University. As an emerging youth activist, her goals are to integrate community and film by amplifying stories that are often overlooked. Cristina hopes to take more space in the industry and inspire young artists. She enjoys connecting with nature and grounding with her medicine through her cultural practices such as, Danza. Cristina has been on her healing journey through connecting back with herself by using her creativity as an outlet.

  • Andy James Garcia (they/them) is a non-binary actor and writer who is wheelchair-bound. Andy is also known for their community storytelling within Boyle Heights Beat (a community news outlet). They believe in advocacy for people whose stories are not always told. Andy is heavily influenced by their self-discovery of their identity and their future. They believe their primary purpose in this world is to entertain. Andy wants to be able to heal their inner child by telling the stories and experiences through the lens of somebody that looks like them and feels like them.

  • Jenn es una mujer apasionada with an avidity for production management. They are currently working in Texas and enjoy immersing themself into projects that allow them to solve complex problems through organization. Managing creatives in a way that fosters growth, compassion, and celebrates diversity to deliver quality results is their jam! With every experience or opportunity, they find in this industry they hope to pay it forward and one day become a mentor for others. Building community, representation, and connecting with others is a major driving force in their work.

  • Shanelle Darlene is an artist del Valle de Coachella whose work looks to question society and create visibility in a world that continually erases lives and stories. She is currently a member of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble and has participated in festivals such as the Frida Kahlo Theater Festival, Chicanas, Cholas y Chisme Festival, and the Short and Sweet Festival (Hollywood) as a performer, writer, and producer. Shanelle has crafted works in musical theater, singing, art, dance and ensemble-based works. She’s very excited to join the inaugural cohort of the Justice for My Sister Collective PA Certification Program!

  • Christian Gordo is an aboriginal lover, poet, songwriter, artist, future fashion designer and filmmaker with a great passion for culture and activism. Raised in Boyle Heights to a community of gang violence & neglect he leaned to that route without any hope for his future. Not until his actions led him to cultural classes in H.S where he sat next to a poster of Sitting Bull, a Lakota chief known as the last native to surrender his rifle where he started to question and saw himself amongst tribal people. Friends later showed him drums and introduced him to native culture & resistance. Christian realized how much pain and struggle his people go through so he abandoned all his old ways. He has now had the fortune to walk amongst living Lakota chiefs and other renowned native activists & artists from all over Turtle Island. Knowing his culture and embracing his roots has saved his life and kept him away from wilding in the streets. For 8 years Christian has been going to Native ceremonies, events and protests. With this amount of time being around community and witnessing remarkable events he’d like to document, cover and bring the resistance, resilience and beauty of BIPOC livity to mainstream media. He dedicates his life as a revolutionary to create a new earth more ethical and harmonious with mother earth which he’s sure we can create.

  • Marissa Houston is a queer biracial / Black femme writer born and bred in Detroit, Michigan. She’s a first generation college graduate having received her Bachelors in English Literature and Film from the University of Michigan. Most recently, she completed her MFA in Fiction with a focus on Arts Administration from Mills College in Oakland, California where she currently resides. Marissa uses her writing to explore issues of identity, ability, queerness, trauma in the body, and music. She’s currently hard at work on several scripts and sits on the Fundraising Committee for Women In Film, created by Landi Maduro.

  • Dominique Iman Hughes is a part-time student at Pasadena City College and is majoring in the Associate of Arts Degree Program for Theater Tech. She was born in Pasadena, California and is the middle child of three children.

    Dominique is a graduate from John Marshall Fundamental School where she first discovered her love and passion for stage, theater, and production. Upon graduating, she decided to pursue the field of Theater and Arts while attending college. During her time at Pasadena City College, she has worked on various productions in pursuit of perfecting her craft.

    In addition to her love and passion for the Theater, one of Dominique's favorite pastimes includes travel. She is currently planning to visit Costa Rica and Italy this summer where she hopes to learn more about various cultures abroad.

    Dominique hopes to one day be in a position where she can use her background, experience and love for Theater and Production in a way where she can inspire others.

  • Trevaugh Leslie is a screenwriter with a passion to create a space where people of color feel welcome to write stories that give them a name and make them feel like they are a part of something amazing. Trevaughn loves to film because it is a safe place for him to feel free and work with so many amazing people.

  • Marlene Luna Castaneda is an actor and storyteller from South Gate, CA. They began their career performing & producing sketch comedy + improv shows while attaining their bachelors degree in journalism from CSULB. After working as a journalist and marketing director in the Mixed Martial Arts industry they landed a lead role in Casa 0101's production of Miss East LA which pushed Marlene into furthering their acting career. They’ve since acted in audience choice award-winning plays & short films and a few national commercials. This year Marlene began producing and directing short films and theater productions and is honored to be chosen by Justice for My Sister to participate in this PA certification program and the opportunity to grow and advance in the film industry. Marlene is also an avid roller skater, the happiest parent of 2 awesome little girls and proud partner to Marcos.

  • Melba (they/she) is an artist, cultural and community organizer from Pacoima, CA. They have a degree in Chicanx Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Melba worked as a community organizer and community arts director for the South Bay Center for Counseling for several years, until she was able to turn her excessive screen time into a career in social media at the Feminist Center for Creative Work. They are a currently working in social media at Maximum Fun and A Tribe Called Queer. Aside from taking selfies, Melba loves to knit, binge TV shows and rant about the current state of the world.

  • Mercedes Mijares was born and raised in LA. With Hollywood as her backyard she grew up wanting to write and create fiIms. Mercedes is humbly grateful to be able to write a few plays when she was younger and took an 8mm class while attending LACC. She completely enjoyed the process of bringing to life a story. The hard work and satisfaction of seeing a finished project is one of the most rewarding things she has ever experienced. Mercedes is grateful and humble to be a part of this program with JFMS.

  • Lupe Montiel, is a former music label representative, co-author of the book Inficciones, Ediciónes Aguamiel in Miami Fl. awarded International Latino Book Award-Honorable Mention, Published photographs and poems in Acid Verse Vol.2, by Los Angeles Poet Society Press, Poet, Screenwriter, Playwright, Songwriter, Photographer, Actor, Filmmaker, Dancer in The Nutcracker 2021, San Pedro City Ballet, appears in films; The Son Rises Carnival Films, 2022, Damaged: A Hobo’s Tale, wrote the play ¡Echale Ganas Mija! member of, Chicanas, Cholas y Chisme at Casa 0101, attends NYU-Tisch.

  • Mel is a cuir filmmaker, artist, and educator from El Valle de San Fernando, CA. They are a recent graduate from the University of California and focused a majority of their studies in gender studies and the CA educational system. Their art focuses on childhood images, foods they enjoy, and happy memories.

  • Imani Outen is a Black, nonbinary director, writer and producer born and raised in Southern California. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz (2018) they debuted their short film Gender Pronoun PSA at the Queer Women of Color Film Festival in 2020 to highlight the importance of expanding one's understanding of gender. Imani dedicates their films to the exploration of complexities among black people using fiction and reality-based scenarios inspired by their lived experiences.

    While working in the Bay Area, Imani is developing projects including a historical account of Black representation throughout American cinema and its impact on spcial landscapes today.

  • Bio not available at the moment.

  • Bree (she/her/hers) joins Justice for My Sister excited to have mentorship and guidance while gaining experience in the film and television industry. Ever since being introduced to, and finding passion in, documentary filmmaking in college, she has always dreamt of working on projects that would help others see the world anew.

    Bree believes in the power of disseminating knowledge through art and hopes to contribute to the ongoing awakening and healing of our communities. Since graduating college, Bree has spent most of her time working in National Parks, traveling the world, volunteering, and deepening her understanding of social systems and ecological systems.

    Through her current work as a Naturalist, Bree enjoys connecting people to our earth by way of accessible programming and story-telling. She is hopeful that through this PA Certification Course, she will be empowered to take her unique perspectives into the production world. She is excited to learn not only from the instructors, but also from the wisdom and knowledge that her peers bring as well. In her free time, Bree enjoys birding, arts and crafts, singing, and comedy.

  • Melissa Soriano is an upcoming graduate receiving her BA in Cinema anda Minor in Woman and Gender Studies at San Francisco State University. Fully born and raised in Los Angeles with Southern Mexican decent, she learned to passionately implement important cultural, social, and creative perspectives from Los Angeles natives and workers. Her background experience with Adobe Audition, Premiere, and Photoshop, along with screenwriting, helped generate her vision to create more. Melissa believes art is resistance and film allow others to build and influence action through perspectives and storytelling. Los Angeles natives deserve to implement more of these perspectives as the city is changing without their input.

  • Elizabeth Uribe was born and raised in South East Los Angeles in a working-class family. Her creative experiences range from theatre to curating and has worked in Little Red at Casa 0101 as backstage manager, Mujeres En Resistencia showcase at Centro Cultural de la Raza as a stage manager, and has been involved in the S.E.L.A. River Festival. In addition, she has worked as a coordinator and facilitator in cultural centers creating self-initiated programs pertaining to art, culture, and performance for community members at the UCSD Cross-Cultural Center and South Gate Museum & Art Gallery. My current adventure is coordinating arts & culture programs and events for the South East LA community through the SELA Artist Guild nonprofit as a board member. Plus, creating video content and short documentaries inspired by her family, roots, and community.

  • Steph Viera (they.them) is an Indigiqueer Diné and Salvadorian creative, community organizer, writer and storyteller who resides on Kizh and Tongva lands. They are a multifaceted creative who currently runs all social media platforms for NDN Collective, an entirely Indigenous-led organization devoted to building Indigenous power throughout the movement and philanthropic spaces.

    Steph has a deep commitment to aid in the intentional storytelling of Indigenous people, especially the reconnecting, multi-racial, queer, and urban Indigenous communities through written and visual mediums. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Film, Television, and Media from California State University, Dominguez Hills where they studied storytelling, digital media production, and media representation.

  • Ashante was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois. She is a 21-year-old photographer and film student at Art Division. She just wrapped her first short film ever that she wrote and directed. In August of 2020, during the pandemic, she drove to Los Angeles and did van life during the drive! After arriving in LA, she has picked up many hobbies and passions including photography, filmmaking, creative directing, skating, activism and writing. In her free time, she likes to go out with friends, get boba, create art, go to the movies and visit her family, as much as possible. Since she is usually busy, she also loves to just be lazy and have relaxing self care days. She is a cat mom of two tabby cats: Shrek and Cleo. Right now, she is focused on picking up as much knowledge as she can, building her portfolio, and experiencing life because she comes from a small town. In the near future, she will move to New York for a change of pace.

  • Efrain enjoys dancing, poetry, community organizing, and learning about the processes of filmmaking. He immigrated to DC from El Salvador as a child. Efrain has always loved cameras but abandoned his love for cameras as a teenager when he broke his parents' expensive camera by accident. Through his angels and community’s support, he has come upon his passions again in the midst of much grief from losing his partner to cancer. Efrain’s goal is to become a skillful filmmaker to unleash the stories in our communities and use film as a medium for collective growth, healing and enjoyment.

  • Luis Zuniga is a young filmmaker that recently participated in the Television Academy Foundation’s prestigious summer internship program. Prior to that he worked on the Sundance premiered documentary, Mucho Mucho Amor, as an intern and production assistant. Luis earned his B.A. in film from California State University Long Beach where he developed a love for documentary filmmaking. Luis has also directed/produced films that have played at various film festivals. Luis currently resides in Orange County, California with his wife and their two cats where he spends his time producing documentary films as well as corporate videos with his business partner.

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