NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab Apprentices Selected for the Alliance for Media Arts + Culture’s 2024 Power of Storytelling Grants 

Six emerging filmmaker apprentices from NBCUniversal’s Creative Impact Lab were selected for The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture’s Power of Storytelling Grant. The $5,000 awards will enable early career media makers to write, shoot, edit and/or distribute their own creative short digital media projects. Grantees receive funding and mentorship from award-winning filmmakers and participate in workshops throughout the year on budgeting, editing, impact producing, and distribution strategy.  

Through the Creative Impact Lab, apprentices received experience that will help them to utilize their grants. Meet the Creative impact Lab Apprentices that received the Power of Storytelling Grant and learn how they plan on using their grant below: 

Meet the NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab Apprentices 

Name: Deondre Marshall 

Where are you currently based? Miami, FL 

Briefly describe the project you’re working on that this grant is going towards: 

My project is a short film/musical called “Hope Harmony.” The story revolves around Dez, a talented but self-conscious musician who dreams of performing for an audience. The only problem is that he doesn’t believe he can, until he encounters a talented homeless street performer. Inspired by the spirit and confidence of the street performer, Dez finds motivation to at least try. With words of encouragement from his mother, little brother, and the motivation from the street performer, he makes the decision to perform. 

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? 

This gracious grant will 100% help me achieve my goals to not only bring my idea to life, but it gives me the necessary tools to make this idea turn out better than what I originally thought. 

Name: Mekhi Amani Burton 

Where are you currently based? Los Angeles, CA 

Briefly describe the project you’re working on that this grant is going towards: 

When a viral video costs Trevon his job, his best buddy Tyron steps up, offering more than just a shared apartment—they're in for a wild ride through the city's ups and downs. With Trevon seeking payback and Tyron wrestling with some shady business, their roommate escapades unfold. Yet, in the midst of chaos, their unbreakable friendship shines. Through humor, support, and shared challenges, they dive into each other's worlds, crafting a tale where loyalty and mischief collide in their urban 'Crib Chronicles.' 

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? 

This grant will help this film's success, allowing us to compensate our skilled crew, invest in equipment, and make sure everyone is fed on set. 

Name: Gavin Soler 

Where are you currently based? Miami, FL 

Briefly describe the project you’re working on that this grant is going towards: 

I’m currently working on a film titled “Reel Love” about a boy moving to America and going to the movie theater to try and learn English meeting a girl who teaches him about America, film, and himself. 

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? 

This grant will help give me the funds in order to create this film, paying for locations, equipment and also giving me a chance to pay my cast and crew which is always something I’ve wanted to do, so I’m very grateful that this grant is allowing me to do so. 

Name: Aldo Merino 

Where are you currently based? Brooklyn, NY 

Briefly describe the project you’re working on that this grant is going towards: 

The project I am working on is a documentary about exploring the tradition known as the day of the dead through my 87-year-old grandmother. 

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? 

This grant will help me achieve my goals by helping fund trips to Mexico as that is where my grandmother is currently located. I will also now be able to bring someone with me to help me shoot b-roll and interviews. This grant will also allow me to acquire equipment as needed which will push the production of my documentary further. 

Name: Angelica Quiñonez 

Where are you currently based? Los Angeles, CA 

Briefly describe the project you’re working on that this grant is going towards: 

My project is a meet-cute story involving two strangers who meet at a local food market and come across a language barrier. They communicate in their own special ways to get to know each other better. Sharing and experiencing different foods with each other at the night market is a big way these strangers build a connection. The theme revolves around love (and food!) being a universal language that overcomes any barrier. (Plus, it’s inspired by how my own parents met!) 

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? 

This grant will enhance my filmmaking skills in producing, directing, and writing. I’ll have the financial support to create and distribute my project while developing a personal style in my filmmaking. This grant is definitely a huge help in creating a project that represents me and my beliefs. This grant will not only improve my filmmaking skill set but also give me the opportunity to succeed in future roles in the film industry. My overall goal for this project is to have fun developing a personal story, and I’m excited to work on it with my fellow creatives! 

Name: Daysia Leneé Hiller 

Where are you currently based? Albany, NY 

Briefly describe the project you’re working on that this grant is going towards: 

The name of my project is Street Soldiers, a documentary that follows a group of homeless individuals here in Albany, NY, who call themselves Street Soldiers. This documentary provides the Street Soldiers with space to share their story, along with having control in how much of themselves is on display while doing it. 

How will this grant help you achieve your goals? 

Receiving this grant allows me to share a story that has been close to my heart for a long time. I can now document and share a narrative that tends to be exploited when told, with care and intention instead. 

With this grant, I’m able to take another step as an artist and continue to share my passion for storytelling. As a filmmaker, all I ever want is to create films that make people feel deeply. Street Soldiers is one of those films. Everyone's story deserves to be told. And now, through Street Soldiers, I can share some. 

Learn more about NBCUniversal’s Creative Impact Lab, a signature award-winning initiative of NBCUnites, the company’s corporate social impact brand and see some of the work they have created here.  

Visit our Newsroom to learn more about NBCUniversal’s Impact work.