In an effort to keep post-graduate animators, game designers and content creators in Utah, the Salt Lake Film Society (SLFS) has created a media accelerator studio called MAST. SLFS said the program will grow its Film Fostering & Education Initiative, which has fostered 150 screenwriters and four digital directors and produced cultural film tours. The program is made possible by an endowment from the Robin M. Woods Legacy Fund for Future Initiatives.
MAST will offer a fellowship program, on-site and online labs and contests as well as mentoring, networking and collaboration opportunities. The society hopes the program will shift Utah from exporting artists to exporting art. There will be a special emphasis on supporting artists and projects that highlight diversity and social conscience, SLFS said.
MAST is being founded by Tori A. Baker, CEO of SLFS; and Miles Romney, who will lead the program under Baker’s direction. Romney is an entertainment and tech entrepreneur and co-inventor of DigiClay animation, co-founder of Radiate Media, former CEO of the film distributor Yekra, Broadway fundraiser and co-producer, and an award-winning writer.
A program advisory board has been recruited from among industry and education leaders. It includes Jon Beutler, director of the Park City Business Resource Center; John Dahlstrom, board member of the Salt Lake Chamber; Kelly Loosli, animation program director at Brigham Young University; Richard Scott, dean of Salt Lake Community College’s School of Arts, Communication & Media; and Sterling Van Wagenen, co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival and professor of Film & Media Arts at the University of Utah.