Find Your Magic | AXE

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

“My magic? My pen is my sword.”

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.

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. 

“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.   

“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. 

“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.

“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.

“Filmmaking gives me the ability to put my heart and soul, countless hours, and work with an amazing team, so that others can feel an experience that once was just images in my head. It’s self-indulgent but also empathetic.”

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

“I found my magic when I took the leap and fully carried out the idea to wear all the hats; to write, produce, direct, star in, and promo my own production.”

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

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