Peace Is Loud and UFO Announce Post/Impact Residency and Inaugural Recipients
Caron Creighton (L) and Estevan Padilla (R) during the Peace Is Loud x UFO Post/Impact Residency. Courtesy of UFO
Today, Peace Is Loud and UFO announce the Peace is Loud x UFO Post/Impact Residency, which combines more traditional residency perks of a post-production workspace and support with impact strategizing. The pilot residency went to Wood Street, directed by Caron Creighton, which “follows members of Oakland’s Wood Street homeless encampment as they organize against dual evictions from both the city and state,” according to the organizations’ press release.
Both Peace Is Loud and UFO have track records supporting under-resourced filmmakers. The details of the month-long residency at the Silver Sun Foundation in Woodstock, NY, included private live/work space equipped with an edit suite, compensated time to focus on the film, technical support, feedback from an experienced editor. The tailored 1:1 impact support to advance impact fundraising, the development of an impact campaign, and care for the film’s participants included four weekly sessions with Creighton and producer Estevan Padilla, hosted by the Peace Is Loud team. In addition to the residency, Wood Street (which is fiscally-sponsored by IDA) will receive a US$10,000 unrestricted grant.
UFO is known for its 18-month intensive for shorts filmmakers, the UFO Short Film Lab, and unique collaborations with other documentary film support organizations. UFO Co-Director Arno Mokros says: “We are honored to have such incredible partners in our colleagues at Peace Is Loud—by combining forces, we have created a unique residency model that invests in a film’s capacity for impact.”
Echoing their excitement at partnering with UFO, Peace Is Loud Director of Film Impact and Innovation Stephanie Palumbo and Learning & Filmmaker Outreach Lead Florencia Varela add: “We’re thrilled to launch our first-ever in-person residency dedicated to both post-production support and impact planning. This innovative model not only allows filmmakers to advance their edit but also ensures they’re equipped with tools and support to drive lasting social change. Wood Street filmmakers Caron Creighton and Estevan Padilla have already demonstrated a deep commitment to accountable storytelling, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the film’s participants, in addition to demonstrating a compelling artistic vision.”
Documentary previously covered Wood Street's selection for a 2023 Berkeley Film Foundation film grant. Since then, the project has gathered a fair bit of momentum with pitches at Big Sky, Realscreen Summit, an upcoming appearance at Black Public Media’s PitchBlack Forum, and a grant from the Fund for Investigative Journalism.