COMMUNITY is the core of my work and how I’ve managed to grow in various areas of my career (and my life). Here’s a bit of backstory about Cinetheory, Filmmaker Support Group, as well as more information about my outlook and values as a filmmaker and strategist.

Filmmaker Support Group was founded in October 2020 (held on Zoom) and was inspired by the loss of a filmmaker friend and collaborator the month before. Prior to that, I had lost several friends from 2017-2020 that were artists - all within situations where they were struggling with something privately so it was quite shocking each time. I found it very sad that the stigma, pressure and often superficial nature of our industry discouraged them from seeking the help and support they needed. It really hurts to lose the people we dream with. The intention behind this group was to be an open and accessible space for filmmakers to come together to discuss whatever they want and offer one another support and resources- quite simple. No fees, no applications, people could come and go as they pleased. Have their cameras off or on, come late, invite a friend. Over the past year, I have slowly transitioned this space to in-person events. Over the past 4 years, over 200 filmmakers have participated internationally. If you’d like to join this group, just shoot me an email at me@michellezei.com.

Cinetheory was born as club for independent, experimental, and foreign film on Clubhouse in 2020. I joined in October 2020, and Ken made me an admin of the club. Together we would host and moderate rooms, shaping one of the best experiences of my life. The strength of the club was its members and our collective love for film. Deep connections were made and brilliant rooms were hosted by our members. For example, people hosted rooms on Iranian Cinema, Slow Cinema, Music Docs, film festival reviews, The White Lotus Fan Club, and premiere parties for their films. We had filmmakers, critics, film lovers, students, and seasoned professionals as members. At our height there were over 12,000 people in the club but the quality mattered over the quantity. Whether the room had hundreds of people or just 2, everyone was thoughtful, intelligent, and open-minded. This club is the gift that keeps on giving. Our members have become friends and collaborators and many are trailblazing their own communities in the film industry right now. Meeting members in-person throughout my travels over the past 4 years has been amazing. I recently met a few members in NY and London.

These 2 communities were special because they were open, free, and online, which attracted folks from a wide range of places, backgrounds, and experiences. It’s powerful to see what the film industry can look like without unnecessary barriers and toxic elitism. I’m proud of how I set the tone for these spaces to be communal, creative, and respectful. Above all, they were spaces where people could be people first and professionals second. May we not lose our humanity in the process.

These groups have informed the mission of my company cc. In particular, cc workshops and events aim to build community, nurture interdisciplinary collaboration, and provide resources and information.