Full Spectrum Features announces three storytellers selected for their flagship program Community Storytellers: Alexie Young, Brian Herrera, and Laura E. Sáenz.
The Community Storytellers program elevates the narratives of Chicago residents by adapting community-driven stories into short films. With the support of a team of film professionals, Alexie, Brian, and Laura will undergo a rigorous creative development process to adapt their stories into compelling screenplays and bring them to life on the big screen.
In addition to translating their stories into short films, these storytellers will organize a series of meaningful impact events to mobilize and empower their communities within the North and South Lawndale neighborhoods. This yearlong process culminates in a powerful film showcase that celebrates the legacy of their community — past, present, and future.
This year’s storytellers were selected in a review process spanning 3 months by a curatorial team comprised of Elodie Edjang, KJ Strong, Daisy Zamora, naomi lares, Fernando Aburto, Dashawna Wright, Tati Rodriguez — returning to Community Storytellers after working on the screenplay of De La Morera from last year’s cohort — and George Ellzey Jr.
Alexie Young, a Belizean American artist from LA raised on Chicago’s Westside, is a creative force shaping Art West. Her diverse pursuits span visual arts, event curation, film, and storytelling. Advocating for creative engagement and project management, Alexie focuses on impactful initiatives within Chicago communities, crafting experiences that are designed to offer impact. Art West will continue to become a nurturing ecosystem, fostering personal and professional development for creatives.
Alexie’s Story Synopsis: Amidst the ongoing great debate of Westside versus Southside Chicago, a defeated artist from North Lawndale finds inspiration in the common ground she discovers through a spontaneous interaction with an art curator from Englewood.
Brian Herrera is a Mexican illustrator and designer living in Chicago. His work takes inspiration from music, street art, and the immigrant diaspora. Herrera’s work pushes boundaries, combining his innate creativity with a profound understanding of visual language. Notable projects include Collaborations with Universal Music Group, Adidas, Hermés, Dark Matter Coffee, Cruz Blanca and the Cooper Hewitt NYC design museum. His work has found a home within many nonprofits and the DIY music scene.
Brian’s Story Synopsis: A non-binary queer teen cultivates community, individuality, and resilience through the subculture of the DIY punk scene in Little Village.
Laura E. Sáenz is a mother, teaching artist, cultural researcher, and facilitator from Mexico City with a background in Dance/Choreography and Visual Communications. She lives and works in Chicago creating arts integrated curriculum in Chicago Public Schools with CAPE (Chicago Arts Partnership in Education), designing cultural community research for her independent research company Bilingual Bolero and is a national facilitator for StoryCorps.
Laura’s Story Synopsis: An immigrant child uncovers a world of magic and possibility through the arts at their school.
2024 represents the second iteration of Full Spectrum Features’ Community Storytellers program. The program is partially supported by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the National Endowment for the Arts and is made possible through our community partnership with Latinos Progresando.
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