Three Spelman alumnae and a current student recently participated in the No Comment Fellowship with Re:Imagine, an organization focused on amplifying underrepresented voices through storytelling and film. The prestigious film fellowship highlighted their exceptional talent and emphasized Spelman's legacy in nurturing visionary artists and changemakers. No Comment Fellowship also allowed participants to engage with industry professionals, develop original film projects and collaborate with like-minded peers, all with the mission of reshaping narratives.
Kennedy Dunning, C’2023, Alexis Jacobs, C’2023, Aubriana Davis, C’2023, and Kayla McClain, C’2026, participated in the fellowship. The ladies learned different filmmaking techniques under the direction of Paras Chaudhari.
“Along with film theory, history and lots of practical filmmaking techniques (180 rule, Soviet montage, screenwriting, directing actors) and equipment training, our program focused on fear, resistance and camaraderie,” said Chaudhari. “My personal goal was to turn a group of strangers into a self-sustained film crew. They became exactly that, shooting two narrative shorts at the end of the program with barely any help from staff. The growth I saw in them was mainly in their confidence. I knew they were confident when they walked in the door, but when they walked out, I felt they were unstoppable.”
Dunning, a writer and filmmaker, found the fellowship rewarding because it offered a diverse set of experiences.
“From script development to production, these Spelmanites demonstrated unparalleled creativity and leadership, leaving a lasting impression on their mentors and peers. (Our) story encapsulates Spelman’s enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and representation in the arts,” said Dunning. “Studying at the Women's Center provided me with a comprehensive understanding of feminist perspectives and the complexities of women's experiences across various social, cultural, and historical contexts. This exposure has deeply influenced how I conceptualize my films' characters, themes, and narratives as I strive to portray authentic and multidimensional representations of women's lives.”
Dunning counts Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, founding director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center and Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women’s Studies, as her ‘biggest inspiration’ at Spelman College.
“Dr. Sheftall is not just an educator; she is a revolutionary force within academia, a radical Black feminist whose teachings transcend the conventional boundaries of the classroom. Her commitment to challenging systems of oppression, amplifying marginalized voices, and nurturing critical thinking has profoundly inspired me and transformed my understanding of filmmaking as a tool for social change,” said Dunning.
Jacobs looked to develop her creative and technical skills. The Atlanta native has a history with Re:Imagine, attending events since she was in middle school, and she applied for the program with encouragement from Spelman's film professor Anjanette Levert.
“The Re:Imagine No Comment Fellowship provided a holistic filmmaking experience that deepened my technical and creative skills. As someone more comfortable behind the camera and whose portfolio consists primarily of documentary content, this program pushed me to inhabit roles where I didn't have as much experience in the narrative film world,” said Jacobs. “One of our key exercises was to practice directing actors, which I found to be a challenge at first, but our instructors taught us to communicate our vision using action verbs. This made the process more focused on character motives and definable goals, which felt a lot like writing a script! And I love to write. I also learned how to properly format and develop scripts, as well as enjoyed the workshopping process with the other fellows.”
On the technical side, she said she gained hands-on experience with cinema cameras and lenses of varying focal lengths, which informed her role as director of photography on one of their final projects. “I also learned how to be a first assistant camera and second assistant director,” said Jacobs.
"I am honestly thrilled and so proud to be able to say that I know these filmmakers," said Levert. "These Spelman alumnae are living proof of my commitment to create and then support an army of Black women storytellers going out into the world, telling our stories and documenting our history. This is imperative; otherwise, our lives, our existence and our humanity will be erased."
While at Spelman, Dunning, Jacobs and Davis all studied documentary film. McClain is currently an international studies major. Davis is a working film actress with credits from movies and television series such as "The Wonder Years," "Raising Dion," "To Her, with Love," "The Underground Railroad," and more.
The No Comment Fellowship is an intensive filmmaking program aimed at amplifying youth voices. Founded in 2016, NoCo equips young talents (ages 16 - 24) with the skills to craft and convey the stories that matter most to them as they collaborate to produce high-quality media content.
Our program empowers students to learn the art of writing, producing, and pitching their films, instilling confidence in their craft and providing a valuable film sample for college applications or career pursuits. Since its inception, 90 NoCo students have gone on to attend prestigious film schools and embark on careers within the creative industry. Photos from this story were provided by the curtsey of the photographer Janelle Hernandez.