Throughout her career, and no matter what position she’s been in, Alison Emilio has made it her mission to open doors to those that might not have the same advantages when it comes to creating and becoming involved in the filmmaker community. From film to TV, and media, Emilio is here to keep on pushing for gender equality. And that’s why she’s our first of many Friday filmmaker profiles publishing every Friday for the next eight weeks!
1. Alison is the Director of Reframe.
ReFrame is a partnership between Sundance Institute and Women in Film Los Angeles. It is comprised of over 60 male and female Ambassadors from all walks in the entertainment industry. ReFrame has studio heads, agency partners, executive producers, directors, writers, actors, and more that are dedicated to increasing the amount of female filmmakers behind the camera.
2. Alison is part of the ReFrame Stamp initiative.
In addition, the organization above has a ReFrame Stamp that according to their site, “serves as a mark of distinction for projects that have demonstrated success in gender-balanced films based on criteria developed by ReFrame in consultation with ReFrame Ambassadors, producers and other industry experts.
Stamps are awarded to narrative features that hire female-identifying people in four out of eight key areas of their production, including: writer, director, producer, lead, co-lead, speaking parts, department heads and crew. Additional points are awarded to content that has women of color in key positions.”
3. Alison serves on the Horizon Award Advisory Board.
This organization’s mission is to be part of the solution of an ever growing problem where the opportunities to get women behind the camera are limited. This year marks its 5th Horizon Award, which will give 2 female directors an all expenses paid trip to the Sundance Film Festival. It’s a great opportunity for directors that wouldn’t be able to make it to meet with producers, filmmakers, and festival participants who will help elevate, understand, and develop their talent.
4. Alison supports the homeless, youth at risk community, and more.
Emilio has worked with the homeless at the Weingart Center and youth at risk at the Optimist Youth Homes in LA. The latter organization is one of the oldest and largest agencies of its kind in Southern California that serves youth and their families every day. In addition, Emilio’s been in involved environment organizations like Oceana, CBS EcoMedia, and Big Sunday/LAUSD projects
5. Alison is a female filmmaker.
The fact that Emilio is out there creating work and lifting those around her, is enough reason for us to put this as a reason you should know her. Emilio’s producing credits include Handmade Films’ Dinner at Fred’s, starring Parker Posey, Gil Bellows, and Christopher Lloyd; Drowning on Dry Land, starring Barbara Hershey and Naveen Andrews; and Someone is Watching, starring Stephanie Powers, for Lifetime.
Recently she was the executive producer for a documentary short known as Candlelight. According to the shorts IMDB page it tells the story of, “A young woman in the hurricane-ravaged island of Puerto Rico struggles to go about her daily life, as the world around her bickers over the way things should’ve been.”
Know any other female filmmakers you think should be featured for our #FemaleFilmmakerFridays series? Let us know in the comments below!