ATLFilmParty receives $25,000 grant from Hinge

Film organization ATLFilmParty received a $25,000 grant from dating app Hinge.

ATLFilmParty started in 2021 as a small event where people came together to watch short films and vote for their favorites, with the goal of creating a film community accessible to everyone. Now, the organization hosts events throughout the year in which it showcases select films, inviting local filmmakers to gain exposure and connect with industry players and movie fans.

The grant is called the Hinge’s One More Hour Grant and is for ATLFilmParty to expand and make its resources more accessible to Gen Z in Atlanta, according to a press release. Founder and executive director Brooke Sonenreich said she wants ATLFilmParty to use the grant to host more events and hopefully connect with more Gen Z creatives.

“There is a very specific loneliness to coming of age during the pandemic,” Sonenreich said. “I feel like there aren’t a lot of free things that people can do, when they’re away from home and have the opportunity to connect with people. other people.”

ATLFilmParty is an organization that hosts these free events, usually a few times a year, inviting everyone to learn about and talk about local cinema.

“ATLFilmParty offers an experience where it’s not just sitting in a movie theater and staring at a screen without having time to tune in,” Sonenreich said. “Not only do they get to submit and showcase their own films, but they can also go upstairs and connect with people of all generations or their own generation.”

With the grant money, Sonenreich said she would like to expand the event to more locations. Currently, the event is usually held at the Switchyards Downtown Club. She also said she would like to emphasize accessibility, whether that means hiring an ASL interpreter or having professional subtitles made for each film.

“Obviously this grant is aimed at Gen Z, but I want it to be (for) a range of different abilities within that demographic and other demographics,” Sonenreich said.

Hinge created the One More Hour initiative to help organizations help Gen Z find more opportunities to connect in person. According to the press release, Hinge reviewed more than 200 applications and chose grant recipients with the help of a Gen Z advisory board. Forty different groups are receiving funding totaling $1 million. dollars.

Sonenreich said she was excited about ATLFilmParty’s choice, but that it didn’t necessarily surprise her.

“We already have so many Gen Zers in our demographic, from filmmakers to people who are involved in it,” she said. “I hope this just gets the message out that this event is free.” It’s free to register, it’s free to attend and it’s a really good time – a really good place to just connect with your friends and potential friends.