#axe collective

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“I’m a traveling videographer. Sleep on a bus, wake up in a new country.”

-@krisfrostad, attendee of the AXE Collective event during #TIFF16

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“My magic? My pen is my sword.”

-Writer and director, Howard G, before the AXE Collective screening during #TIFF16

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Grit. Guts. Glory. That’s what AXE Collective filmmakers Francisco Cabrera, @justshemababy, and Tabi Bonney put on display last week, as they screened their films at the Vanguard Honours event during the Toronto International Film Festival®. Props to them for bringing such a massive audience to the theater and killing it onstage alongside their mentors, award-winning artist John Legend and acclaimed film and TV producer, director, writer Mark Duplass.

Stay tuned for what’s next from the rising AXE Collective filmmakers.

®Toronto International Film Festival Inc. used under license.

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The AXE Collective Vanguard Honours, hosted during the Toronto International Film Festival®, will showcase 3 directors and their films, chosen from 400+ submissions.  

The 3 AXE Collective members will be mentored by award-winning artist John Legend and acclaimed film and TV producer, director, writer Mark Duplass. 

®Toronto International Film Festival Inc. used under license.

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“Eyone Williams, my best friend from middle school, is my hero. Some of us survived the “Just Say No” era in Washington, D.C., but Eyone was incarcerated with a sentence of 30 years to life. He was released from prison after serving 17 years and he came out as a prolific urban lit author.   

One of his books, Secrets Never Die, inspired me to transition from directing music videos to making my first short film. 

Adapting Eyone’s book brought us to one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.” 

- Tabi Bonney, AXE Collective filmmaker, speaks about his artistic inspiration for the AXE Collective Vanguard Honours during the Toronto International Film Festival® this year. You can watch his film, selected by award-winning artist John Legend and acclaimed film and TV producer, director, writer Mark Duplass, “Secrets Never Die,” here.

 ®Toronto International Film Festival Inc. used under license.

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“My mom, mentor and hero­ine of mine, passed her love and passion for film on to me, in many different mediums. She pushed me. She cried with me. She’s invested more in myself and my films than any other individual I know. She’s believed in me since I was a little girl, turning to tell her, ‘I want to act, sing, and dance mommy.’ She loves me and my love of film. 

 My mom, Climmie Hurd­Jones, inspires me to #FindMyMagic everyday. I inherited most of my film aspirations from her and am carrying out her dreams, as well as my own.” 

 - Shema Jones, AXE Collective filmmaker, who will be screening work at the AXE Collective Vanguard Honours during the Toronto International Film Festival®, talking about her inspiration and how she got into the industry. You can watch her film, selected by award-winning artist John Legend and acclaimed film and TV producer, director, writer Mark Duplass, “A Love Undefined,” here.

 ®Toronto International Film Festival Inc. used under license.

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“Living in Venezuela, I progressively saw how things got worse, both economically and socially. I saw my mother on the streets fighting for our rights, for freedom of speech, and for the safety of her family. My brother, who worked at a movie theater 11am - 6pm, let me tag along with him. As he worked, I watched movies back-to-back.

These real life experiences influence my work.” - Francisco Cabrera, AXE Collective filmmaker, reveals how his background influenced his film for the AXE Collective Vanguard Honours during the Toronto International Film Festival® this year. You can watch his film, selected by award-winning artist John Legend and acclaimed film and TV producer, director, writer Mark Duplass, “Revolving Child,” here.

 ®Toronto International Film Festival Inc. used under license.

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“I found my magic when I started believing in myself.”

– Tabi Bonney, 1 of 3 AXE Collective filmmakers screening their work at the AXE Collective Vanguard Honours during the Toronto International Film Festival this year. Tabi will be mentored by award-winning artist John Legend and acclaimed film and TV producer, director, writer Mark Duplass.

#FindYourMagic