Give as a gift
This program offers a thought-provoking exploration into the role of animation as a powerful medium for driving social change. Through a series of in-depth discussions, we delve into how animated works can spark conversations, challenge societal norms, and inspire movements.
This presentation showcases the collaborative efforts of two leading non-profit organizations, Reel Start and Exceptional Minds, both dedicated to providing access and training to underrepresented youth in the film and animation industries.
The session introduces the missions of each organization, followed by a look at their joint project, Trees Blood. This unique collaboration brought together young creators from diverse backgrounds, offering them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while telling important stories. By empowering the next generation of filmmakers and artists, Reel Start and Exceptional Minds are fostering inclusion, creativity, and skill development, creating pathways for youth to succeed in the entertainment industry.
Image Credit: 'Trees Blood' © 2023 Reel Start. All Rights Reserved.
SPEAKERS
Eden Wolfenson
Director // Independent
(Tree's Blood)
Eden Wolfenson is a Reel Start 2023 Graduate, who co-directed and co-wrote Reel Start’s short film, Tree’s Blood. Not only did she help write the script, but she also provided voice direction, art direction, and created concept art for the film. Sponsored by Nickelodeon and Paramount, this animated short film starred Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, Bottoms) and Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) and had its world premiere at Nickelodeon Studios in December 2023. This amazing accomplishment was achieved all before she was 18 years old. In her sophomore year of high school, Eden also wrote, designed, and directed her short film “Donuts,” where she competed against 49 others films and won the “Audience Pick” award at Cleveland Charter High School.
Eden’s projects have been celebrated for being fantastical and passionate, if not a little crazy. She believes animation is the closest thing to magic in our reality, and her passion comes from bringing that magic to life through her work.
Currently, she’s at Chapman University, where she studies animation at Dodge College.
Ethan Shapanka
Executive Director // Reel Start
(Peppermint Spiral, Tree's Blood, Refresh, What We See)
Finding his passion in the creative purity of the stage, Ethan began his professional career as an NYC-based playwright. His debut play True Life won the 2002 William Mastrosimone Award. After a series of successful originals and adapted works on the New York stage, he moved to Los Angeles in 2009 to join the film industry and sell out HARD.
And sell out he did! Ethan’s selected film and television work includes three features with Adam Sandler and Happy Madison Productions, on-set writer for 20th Century Fox’s The Watch, creative producer on the Ben Stiller-directed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and creator of the All Def series Kick Stop. Having experienced first hand the challenges and joys of working in the Entertainment Industry, Ethan sought out an opportunity to pay it forward, becoming the Executive Director of Reel Start, a non-profit co-founded by filmmaker Evan Goldberg and educator Adrienne Slover in 2016. The organization works with teens from historically marginalized communities in Los Angeles and Toronto to introduce careers in film through the production of Hollywood-caliber short films. Through this role he’s been fortunate to support the over 125 young people, and help develop a more inclusive next generation workforce for the entertainment industry.
When not working, Ethan lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.
Website // IMDb // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn
Zion Ballard
Director // Independent
(Tree's Blood)
Zion Ballard is a writer and director of Tree’s Blood and a 2023 graduate of the Reel Start program, a nonprofit organization focused on shining a light on diverse youth through film. Starring Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, Bottoms) and Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), Tree’s Blood premiered at Nickelodeon studios in 2023.
Zion's creativity, passion and authenticity shines through in all his projects. Not only did he showcase his experimentation with color and storyboarding in Tree’s Blood, but he also demonstrated it in his 2022 Webcomic story film competition, Red Moon. His fascination with the monstrous and misunderstood, particularly werewolves, and those whose existence is labeled as “other,” resonates in his own life as a trans queer black man. Zion is a believer in the power of representation. He wants to share the stories of marginalized people whose voices have been overshadowed and is excited for the untapped well of stories and creativity that has yet to be told.
Zion studied at Otis College of Art and Design and currently does stylized commission work. In high school, he also won the Best Drawer Award and Best Animation Award. When he’s not sketching down all of his ideas, Zion enjoys listening to music and going on adventures with his friends.
MODERATOR
Stephanie Liakos
Communications and Marketing Manager // Exceptional Minds
Stephanie Liakos is the Communications and Marketing Manager at Exceptional Minds. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film, Video, and Media Studies before beginning her career as an independent film marketer. From there, she discovered her love of sharing the work of artists from underrepresented backgrounds and perspectives. Stephanie also has personal projects in photography, writing, music, and backcountry hiking.
This program offers a thought-provoking exploration into the role of animation as a powerful medium for driving social change. Through a series of in-depth discussions, we delve into how animated works can spark conversations, challenge societal norms, and inspire movements.
This presentation showcases the collaborative efforts of two leading non-profit organizations, Reel Start and Exceptional Minds, both dedicated to providing access and training to underrepresented youth in the film and animation industries.
The session introduces the missions of each organization, followed by a look at their joint project, Trees Blood. This unique collaboration brought together young creators from diverse backgrounds, offering them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while telling important stories. By empowering the next generation of filmmakers and artists, Reel Start and Exceptional Minds are fostering inclusion, creativity, and skill development, creating pathways for youth to succeed in the entertainment industry.
Image Credit: 'Trees Blood' © 2023 Reel Start. All Rights Reserved.
SPEAKERS
Eden Wolfenson
Director // Independent
(Tree's Blood)
Eden Wolfenson is a Reel Start 2023 Graduate, who co-directed and co-wrote Reel Start’s short film, Tree’s Blood. Not only did she help write the script, but she also provided voice direction, art direction, and created concept art for the film. Sponsored by Nickelodeon and Paramount, this animated short film starred Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, Bottoms) and Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) and had its world premiere at Nickelodeon Studios in December 2023. This amazing accomplishment was achieved all before she was 18 years old. In her sophomore year of high school, Eden also wrote, designed, and directed her short film “Donuts,” where she competed against 49 others films and won the “Audience Pick” award at Cleveland Charter High School.
Eden’s projects have been celebrated for being fantastical and passionate, if not a little crazy. She believes animation is the closest thing to magic in our reality, and her passion comes from bringing that magic to life through her work.
Currently, she’s at Chapman University, where she studies animation at Dodge College.
Ethan Shapanka
Executive Director // Reel Start
(Peppermint Spiral, Tree's Blood, Refresh, What We See)
Finding his passion in the creative purity of the stage, Ethan began his professional career as an NYC-based playwright. His debut play True Life won the 2002 William Mastrosimone Award. After a series of successful originals and adapted works on the New York stage, he moved to Los Angeles in 2009 to join the film industry and sell out HARD.
And sell out he did! Ethan’s selected film and television work includes three features with Adam Sandler and Happy Madison Productions, on-set writer for 20th Century Fox’s The Watch, creative producer on the Ben Stiller-directed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and creator of the All Def series Kick Stop. Having experienced first hand the challenges and joys of working in the Entertainment Industry, Ethan sought out an opportunity to pay it forward, becoming the Executive Director of Reel Start, a non-profit co-founded by filmmaker Evan Goldberg and educator Adrienne Slover in 2016. The organization works with teens from historically marginalized communities in Los Angeles and Toronto to introduce careers in film through the production of Hollywood-caliber short films. Through this role he’s been fortunate to support the over 125 young people, and help develop a more inclusive next generation workforce for the entertainment industry.
When not working, Ethan lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.
Website // IMDb // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn
Zion Ballard
Director // Independent
(Tree's Blood)
Zion Ballard is a writer and director of Tree’s Blood and a 2023 graduate of the Reel Start program, a nonprofit organization focused on shining a light on diverse youth through film. Starring Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, Bottoms) and Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), Tree’s Blood premiered at Nickelodeon studios in 2023.
Zion's creativity, passion and authenticity shines through in all his projects. Not only did he showcase his experimentation with color and storyboarding in Tree’s Blood, but he also demonstrated it in his 2022 Webcomic story film competition, Red Moon. His fascination with the monstrous and misunderstood, particularly werewolves, and those whose existence is labeled as “other,” resonates in his own life as a trans queer black man. Zion is a believer in the power of representation. He wants to share the stories of marginalized people whose voices have been overshadowed and is excited for the untapped well of stories and creativity that has yet to be told.
Zion studied at Otis College of Art and Design and currently does stylized commission work. In high school, he also won the Best Drawer Award and Best Animation Award. When he’s not sketching down all of his ideas, Zion enjoys listening to music and going on adventures with his friends.
MODERATOR
Stephanie Liakos
Communications and Marketing Manager // Exceptional Minds
Stephanie Liakos is the Communications and Marketing Manager at Exceptional Minds. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film, Video, and Media Studies before beginning her career as an independent film marketer. From there, she discovered her love of sharing the work of artists from underrepresented backgrounds and perspectives. Stephanie also has personal projects in photography, writing, music, and backcountry hiking.
