2023
Sown Passport Program

RWANDA, AFRICA
August, 2023

5 Young Adults age 18-24, who have never left the country, were selected from across the United States to embark on a life changing, 10 day journey, to tell a story for a non profit, Kigali Children’s Center, in Rwanda.

Led by founder Jake Viramontez, the 5 learned, first hand, the ins and outs of producing a high quality, international documentary film.

They each received a brand new Sony camera, Sony cinema lens, microphone, DJI Steadicam, Peak design Tripod, and camera backpack.

At the end of it all, they took away a passport, a credit on a professional documentary film, and an experience of a lifetime.

  • Jake Viramontez

    Leader

    Jake is the founding filmmaker and Chief Storyteller of Sown, he has traveled to over 60 countries and made films in almost every sort of circumstance. He will be the guide for the selected 5.

  • Ridvan Foxhall

    Co-Leader

    Ridvan Idara has over 20 years of experience advancing education, the arts, and racial healing. She is the Founder and Executive Director of a non-profit organization that employs a uniquely positive approach to community organizing, staff development, and conflict resolution.

  • Jeven Dovey

    Behind The Scenes

    Jeven Dovey is an influential YouTube channel that teaches the art of storytelling and filmmaking. His channel has amassed more than 900k subscribers and continues to grow every day. His skill and passion for travel make him an invaluable asset to the Sown Passport Program

  • Kwadir Scott

    Philadelphia

    Kwadir Scott is a Philadelphia based filmmaker who specializes in commercials, music videos and documentaries. When the passport program was announced, he made sure he had his 10 closest friends tag him in the post to get the attention of the Sown team.

  • Serina Grinage

    Oakland

    Serina Grinage was the very first applicant to the program, and that did not go unnoticed. After spending some time getting to know her during the application process, we saw more of her tenacity and drive reveal itself. It’s these very qualities that make us so excited to invite Serina on the Passport Program journey.

  • Demi Sills-Toomer

    Philadelphia

    Having a conversation with Demi is like having a conversation with someone who has spent years in an ashram, full of poise and depth. Their passion for filmmaking landed them a full ride to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where they continued to hone their craft as a visual storyteller.

  • Martin Nunez

    Chicago

    When Martin Nunez met Jake in Chicago, he was relentlessly asking questions, and diving deeper into the craft. Martin’s desire to grow in understanding left such an impression, that when he applied to be a part of the passport program, it was an easy and immediate decision.

  • Zia Foxhall

    New York

    Zia Foxhall is a New York based filmmaker and activist. During her undergrad at Skidmore College, she created the incredible Lunchbox Magazine. Lunchbox is an arts, culture, and literary magazine that was born out of a desire to create a space at Skidmore where artists could share their work with the larger community—Zia’s passion for social change through storytelling made her an immediate shoe in for the passport program.

  • Art of Documentary

    Toronto

    The Art of Documentary team, led by Mark Bone, have graciously offered to do a 1 day bootcamp with the cohort in Toronto, the day before we leave for Rwanda. Mark has worked with CNN Films, won an audience award at HotDocs, and has over 4,000+ filmmakers enrolled in his online AOD course.