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Seven Filmmakers Chosen for First-of-Its-Kind Film Fellowship



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03/27/2024


Big in Arizona & DLP Productions LLC.



Seven Filmmakers Chosen for First-of-Its-Kind Film Fellowship 


Seven talented emerging filmmakers will participate in the creation of the opening show for Lowell Observatory’s new Universe Theater inside the Astronomy Discovery Center.


FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA- Big in Arizona, in collaboration with DLP Productions LLC, and made possible by Lowell Observatory and Creative Flagstaff, is excited to announce seven fellows have been selected to participate in the creation of an innovative film-theater hybrid experience that will premiere at the Lowell Universe Theater, in the upcoming state-of-the-art Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory. 


The Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC) is a 40,200-square-foot science center featuring all-age interactive exhibits, a rooftop open sky planetarium, and a giant LED movie theater called the “Lowell Universe Theater.” The ADC is being built in the world’s first International Dark Sky City of Flagstaff, Arizona, on Lowell’s historic campus. When it opens on November 16, 2024, the ADC will be one of the premiere astrotourism destinations in the world. 


Oakley Anderson-Moore, partner at Big in Arizona and director of the “Imagination and the Universe” show being created for the ADC, is thrilled about the program and what it means for the future of filmmaking in the area:  

“When I joined the Design Team for the Universe Theater, my first reaction to the technology was excitement. This wider-than-IMAX theater would become a world class destination. My second reaction was: how would we create high-end content without a locally existing film industry that is familiar with large format and immersive sound? I’m thrilled that together with DLP Productions, Lowell Observatory, and Creative Flagstaff, we have created this barrier-breaking Fellowship to begin training a local team that consists of incredibly talented artists who I am proud to work with.”


Fellows were selected based on their applications, their talent, and their personal connection to subjects in the show, including human imagination and Indigenous astronomy of Northern Arizona. For Deidra Peaches, owner of DLP Productions and a producer of “Imagination and the Universe”, this fellowship is an important step in bringing more voices and talents into the filmmaking world: 

“Since the birth of cinema, many groups of people have not had the opportunity to tell stories depicting their unique truths. Learning and acquiring filmmaking skills while having a hands-on approach to the tools needed can open up many opportunities and possibilities that can be applied to numerous disciplines.”   


For Samantha Christensen, ADC Interpretive Content Manager at Lowell Observatory, it’s another integral part of building a world class attraction:

"One of the things I value most about our community is our passion for finding new ways to mix art and science. This program is a great example of that. I am extremely excited to work with all the talented individuals Oakley and her team selected for this apprenticeship program, and I can't wait to see what they will create!"


2024 Imagination Film Fellows:



Garrett Benally


Garrett is an emerging photographer and cinematographer who has worked on several local productions and who also creates intricate sound design and music.

“I’m looking to learn how to operate a camera and what goes into cinema-grade film work, such as composition, editing, cinematography, etc. I’m hoping I can bring a musical and technical perspective to the fellowship and incorporate other creative mediums and blend them seamlessly all together.”






Jara Nez


Jara is an accomplished visual artist and tattooist whose work has been featured in animated films, on prints, posters, and illustrated books.

“I am so excited to be a part of this collaborative and creative opportunity! Learning new and different creative processes will get my gears turning in different ways I've never thought of before.”






Shonri Begay


Shonri is an emerging cinematographer and director who has worked on many local productions and is currently making films about the intersection of Indigenous culture, art, and food. 

"I am looking forward to learning from and connecting with professional and emerging filmmakers. I hope to bring a curious mind and readiness to help in various capacities to the project. I am most looking forward to learning how the filmmakers navigate the technological aspects of the film's format, with the creative visions of the Observatory and its collaborators."


Cecil “Pat” Tso


Cecil is an emerging filmmaker, cinematographer, and music artist who has produced and worked on many local music acts including An Illustrated Mess, CoCec, Tre Orona, and own Tsoh Tso.

"I am excited to learn about audio production in an academic setting, because during my time as a musician everything I've learned has been through trial and error on my own. I'm excited to bring what I already know to the table, and to see what works, and learn what doesn’t.”




Amber Benally


Amber is an emerging filmmaker who is interested in place-based storytelling, has worked with both young people and tribal leaders, and looks to amplify Indigenous stories and lifeways.

“I want to learn and observe all the moving parts of what it takes to make a film. I would like to understand how directors envision, map out, plan, and execute. I always enjoy learning new ways of planning, storyboarding, and creating a narrative.”









Joining the five Film Fellows, Big in Arizona is excited to announce two additional fellowship roles.


2024 Imagination Screenwriting Fellow:




Vernon Begay


Vernon graduated from IAIA with a degree in creative writing and is passionate about storytelling and preserving the Navajo/Dine’ language. Vernon joins the project as the first Screenwriting Fellow. 

“I'm just glad to be a part of this journey.”








2024 Imagination High School Filmmaking Fellow:



Robyn Claw


Robyn is a current high school senior at Flagstaff High School and the Kinlani Bordertown Dorm where she has made films like “Tsiiyeel” and “Cheii.” To connect with our youngest demographic of future filmmakers at pivotal moments in their career, Robyn joins the project as the first High School Filmmaking Fellow. 

“I hope to gain more knowledge about film production and the different elements that go into it as well as learning from the mentors.”



About the 2024 Imagination Film Fellowship


The Fellowship will begin the week of March 20, 2024. 

  • The fellowship will take place in Flagstaff, Arizona, and will span approximately 14 days across March-August 2024. 

  • Each fellow receives a stipend, is mentored by visual or audio artists, and will gain production experience on an innovative large-format film.

  • This fellowship will include workshops, storyboarding, pre-production, filming, and post-production on the cinema/theater hybrid production currently titled, “Imagination and the Universe.” 


About the Show


Opening in November 2024, “Imagination and the Universe” (working title) will be the opening show of the Lowell Universe Theater inside the Astronomy Discovery Center; this highly entertaining, visually dynamic show will be an emotional journey covering topics like human imagination, the expanding Universe, and Indigenous astronomy of Northern Arizona.


For more information, please email info@biginarizona.com


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About Big in Arizona: Big in Arizona is a film production company specializing in bringing big, large-format, cinematic stories to life. Big in Arizona is helmed by two award-winning filmmakers, Oakley Anderson-Moore and Al Reinhard, whose work has been shown on screens big and small across the world.


About DLP Productions LLC: DLP Productions LLC is proud to be a Diné woman-led video production company dedicated to delivering top-quality content and personalized services to our clients.


About Lowell Observatory: Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell's astronomers utilize ground- and space-based telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts over 100,000 annual visitors for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes..


About Creative Flagstaff: Creative Flagstaff grants support our local creative sector and nonprofit organizations in arts, science, and culture programs that benefit the residents of and visitors to Flagstaff, Arizona. These awards connect creatives, encourage community growth, and foster professional development to reinforce Flagstaff as a creative city in the Southwest.

 
 
 

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