Hello there!

I'm the Director of the Documentary Program at Berkeley Journalism and I'm running the San Francisco Half Marathon on Sunday, July 23, 2023 to support our graduate students. It's a fun opportunity to rally our community and raise much-needed student support through donations to the Fine Cut Fund. My goal is to raise $3,500, with a stretch goal of $7,500.

Our students are committed to telling meaningful stories that have an impact, and donating to the Fine Cut Fund supports emerging documentary filmmakers at a critical time in their careers. Unfortunately, access to resources is a significant barrier to documentary filmmaking, and this divide deepens the longstanding inequities in the industry and limits the diversity of voices.

The Fine Cut Fund is a vital resource that supports students with the hard costs of filmmaking. By donating to the Fine Cut Fund, you're helping to democratize the field and guarantee that talented students aren’t left behind due to financial barriers. Please join me in supporting our students!


 

"Before coming to Berkeley, the idea of making a documentary seemed impossible. The Fine Cut Fund and UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism made the dream come true." - César Rojas Ángel ('23)

"It's not hyperbole to say that this program has completely changed my life." - Bria Light ('23)

FAQ
Q: What are some of the challenges students face when pursuing their dreams in documentary filmmaking?

A: Unfortunately, a significant barrier to entry into documentary filmmaking is access to resources, particularly for students from low-income families. This divide exacerbates the longstanding inequities in the industry and limits the diversity of voices.

Q: What kind of impact will my donation have?

A: The Fine Cut Fund is a crucial resource that supports students with the hard costs of filmmaking – production, travel and post-production expenses. By donating to the Fine Cut Fund, you're helping to democratize the field of documentary filmmaking and ensure that talented students aren’t left behind due to financial barriers. 

Q: Can I participate in the half-marathon fundraiser?

A: Absolutely! You can sign up to run alongside me and help raise funds for our program. This is a great way to show your support!

Q: What are some other ways I can help support the program?

A: If running isn't your thing, don't worry! You can still help. Making a matching grant is one way to encourage donations. You can also help by spreading the word about the Fine Cut Fund. Share our message on social media, tell your friends and family about our work, and encourage them to get involved.

Q: Why should I care about documentary filmmaking?
A: Documentary filmmaking is critical to our democratic society and culture. Documentaries have the power to transport us to new worlds, convey history and culture, expose us to fresh perspectives, and encourage critical thinking about the complex issues that shape our society.

 

About the Documentary Program
The documentary program at Berkeley Journalism is highly regarded as one of the country's most important graduate nonfiction film programs. Our two-year documentary program is housed within the only journalism school in the University of California system. The Berkeley program produces courageous storytellers who are rigorously trained in investigative reporting and writing, as well as the art of filmmaking, so they're ready to tackle the most significant stories of our time.