Help RHSA Film Students Attend Sundance 2025

Dear Supporter of Young RHSA Filmmakers,

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the RHSA School of Film’ and Project Sundance ‘25! Renaissance High School for the Arts is a public arts high school located in Downtown Long Beach, California.

My name is Mr. Paul Tran and I founded the RHSA School of Film in 2021. Next year (2025), we will have our first graduating class of young filmmakers. To celebrate the success of our students, we want to take them to the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025.

WHAT IS SUNDANCE?

The Sundance Film Festival (held in Park City, Utah) is the premiere independent film festival in the world. Since 1978, independent filmmakers have brought their films there to be shown, seen, and acquired by film distributors to share in movie theaters all over the world.

Filmmakers who have shown their early works at Sundance include Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Steven Soderbergh, Ava Duvernay, Wes Anderson, Ryan Coogler, and Robert Rodriguez, and Chloe Zhao.

WHO IS GOING?

Twelve of the most talented, kind, fun, and funny student filmmakers you’ll ever meet. The RHSA School of Film students are experienced filmmakers who have already taken at least two years of film production courses (in addition to a year of Film Studies and Screenwriting), made dozens of films, shown their work at two school film festivals, visited the Academy Museum and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and attended the Entertainment Equity Alliance Expo.

WHAT ARE WE DOING THERE?

1) Attending 8 - 12 independent movie premieres and writing craft and theme reflections each evening

2) Networking with other student filmmakers from The Windward School and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School and practicing our movie pitches and elevator speeches

3) Meeting film cast and crew for Q&A in specially scheduled sessions

4) Playing in the snow, having fun, and other high school shenanigans

WHAT WILL STUDENTS DO AFTERWARDS?

Students are expected to make a short video reflecting on their time at Sundance. They will also speak on student panels back at Renaissance High to share their video and thoughts with students who could not attend.

Most importantly, they will all write more scripts, take more pictures, film more shots, record more audio, edit more scenes, and be inspired to make more movies. For some, they will apply to and attend film school for college. And one day, at least one of them will make a blockbuster Hollywood movie (and I expect to be cast in it!).

HOW WILL THIS TRIP BENEFIT THE STUDENTS (AND YOU, AND LONG BEACH AND THE COMMUNITY)?

RHSA student filmmakers will gain:

1) Technical skill by watching and studying both upcoming and experienced filmmakers demonstrating their cinematic craft and artistry.

2) Networking experience by meeting fellow student filmmakers from all over the country and also professionals in the film industry.

3) An opportunity to travel outside of California and see a whole new state, city, and snow!

4) Inspiration to pursue filmmaking and their other passions and life goals.

Long Beach and the Greater Community will gain:

1) Inspired students and young filmmakers.

2) An opportunity to support the future of cinema.

3) Films that better reflect the reality and diversity of the world we live in.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1) Donate and help us meet our goal to fund airfare and boarding for the Sundance FilmFestival for twelve students and four teacher chaperones

2) Spread the word and share RHSA’s Project Sundance ‘25 and fundraising campaign on social media, by email and text, and word of mouth.

3) Donate old film, video, and photography equipment to the RHSA School of Film (and old movie posters, too!)

4) Attend the 3rd annual RHSA Film Festival in May 2025

5) Donate and help us meet our goal of $20,000

In closing, thank you for reading this far. Any help you can give is more than appreciated. On behalf of Renaissance High School, the RHSA School of Film, and the 12 student filmmakers whose lives we are going to change, thank you!

Sincerely,

Mr. Paul Tran

DETAILS

Your donation will contribute to the following:

1) 4 days and nights of lodging in Park City, Utah for 12 students and 4 teacher chaperones

2) Airfare from Los Angeles to Park City for 12 students

3) Tickets to the Sundance Film Festival

4) If there are funds left over, we will use them to rent buses and buy passes to attend more film festivals in Southern California in the spring of 2025.