This week's episode is with two Co-Founders of Bronx Film 48, a community organization created to increase the number of filmmakers in The Bronx through networking events, workshops, and an annual 48-Hour Film Challenge. Bronx Film 48 was founded in 2019 by our Host Gregory Hernandez, along with filmmakers Ayaris Perez, Edwin Torres, and Christine Garmendiz. Ayaris and Edwin now run the organization with the help of a wonderful group of volunteers and partners. We talk about what it's like to be a person of color running a nonprofit, what the Bronx really needs to solidify its cinema culture, and what Bronx Film 48 is up to next. Be sure to follow them on social media, attend their next event, and participate in next year's 48-Hour Film Challenge!

Ayaris Perez is a queer filmmaker and teaching artist from the Bronx, her teaching artist work is rooted in social justice pedagogy supporting youth in finding their voice through various art forms. She believes film is a form of resistance and healing, that we need to capture our stories to reclaim our narratives and transform Black and Brown voices, in order to affect social change and liberation. Ayaris has worked on various projects from promotional videos to documentary film. Her goal is to foster a safe space for uptown creators, to share their stories as a means of healing and archiving our stories for future generations to come, that is why she co-founded Bronx Film 48.

Edwin Torres has directed several short video projects, and directed music videos and other multimedia projects. Edwin has a theater background working with other actors and acting himself in several community theater productions. He started out participating in student projects as a boom operator and Grip/Electric. He is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts in Film/Video. He has participated in a highly competitive internship with HBO's original series, "The Deuce", where he got to assist various departments on set, and worked with assistants of co-creators Nina Noble and David Simon. He has worked as an additional Production Assistant on several television and film productions such as John Wick 3, Joker, and Ray Donovan. Edwin supports advocacy groups in the Bronx such as the North West Bronx Community Clergy Coalition. Edwin is also a video game enthusiast, and teaches a Media Production on Gaming class at Dreamyard's Bx Start space in the Bronx.