PROJECT XIVION is EMPOWERING the next generation of young Black filmmakers, artists, and creatives of color through film, screenwriting, technology, and media education. Envisioned through an INCLUSIVE lens, PROJECT XIVION seeks to provide educational resources, create opportunities in film, and BUILD industry within the Black community.
Beginning with the first foundations of storytelling in film, PROJECT XIVION aims to incubate young new filmmakers and artists of color through its own productions —— catalyzing a new vision of industry built THROUGH US, FOR US, and BY US.
WE DON’T NEED PERMISSION. WE NEED EACH OTHER.
PROJECT XIVION
OUR STORIES ARE LEGEND.
PROJECT XIVION equips the next generation of Black storytellers with the SKILLS, STRUCTURE, and INDUSTRY INSIGHT to turn their ideas into powerful films, scripts, and creative work — THROUGH US, FOR US, BY US.
Black storytellers and other marginalized communities have HISTORICALLY faced oppression, censorship, racism, and cultural appropriation — if not outright THEFT. Many of those same obstacles remain today and identifying the threats in media that still challenge our communities have become increasingly difficult to decipher. Gaining the knowledge, insight, and education necessary to fight these challenges head-on should be a FUNDAMENTAL GOAL for every creative looking to find their place in an industry that was never DESIGNED with them in mind.
For too long and too often, Black storytellers have been left on the OUTSIDE looking IN, wondering how to tell their stories, their legends, their myths — and to have them FAITHFULLY RENDERED without the subtle [and not so subtle] undermining of their art by studios, tech companies, racist legislators, or by the pandering executives obsessed with cashing in on the latest trends.
DEFY
THE
GATEKEEPERS.
DEFY
THE
GATEKEEPERS.
Most aspiring STORYTELLERS, FILMMAKERS, and ARTISTS don’t know where to begin.
NO CLEAR PATH
Film schools teach THEORY not EXPERIENCE and don’t always show the reality of how the INDUSTRY works.
NO INDUSTRY INSIGHT
NO CULTURAL FRAMEWORK
Our STORIES are POWERFUL but are constantly CURATED and UNDERMINED by influences not our own.
IMAGINE IF WE BUILT OUR OWN PIPELINE
IMAGINE a space where young Black creatives don’t WAIT for permission, and don’t even think to ASK for it.
They FIND their voice, sharpen their skills, and LEARN how to navigate an INDUSTRY that they CREATE.
IMAGINE a generation of STORYTELLERS who don’t just consume content — they create, build, and forge a unique film and media CULTURE for themselves from the GROUND UP.
THROUGH US. FOR US. BY US.
THIS
IS
PROJECT
XIVION.
PROJECT XIVION is more than just a WRITING-FOR-FILM workshop. It’s a creative training ground built from the GROUND UP to serve young Black creatives, nurture their voices, and turn raw talent into real storytelling ABILITY and INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE.
This is more than followers or view counts. This is more than just an endless stream of content generation; this is about embracing our unique perspectives, developing our voices, and learning how to THINK, CREATE, and TAKE our place as a STORYTELLERS.
THIS
IS
PROJECT
XIVION.
CULTURE > CONTENT
EDUCATION
Learn the foundations of STORYTELLING in FILM, WRITING, and MEDIA.
Learn the REAL history of the film industry through a Black lens.
Identify the challenges facing Black filmmakers and artists of color in media, Hollywood, and beyond.
Understand the importance of STORYTELLING, why it matters, and TAKE your place in the pantheon of STORYTELLERS.
CREATION
Apply what you learn through hands-on creative work.
Develop WRITING skills in screenwriting for shorts, features, television, Youtube and beyond.
Hands-on PRODUCTION experience through various on-set roles in real film studios and sets.
Learn the PROFESSIONAL software, tools, and technologies that power the film industry.
COMMUNITY
Grow WITH other creatives serious about their craft.
Network, create, collaborate with your peers and help BUILD an industry for Black artistry.
Join your crew FAMILY and forge new opportunities in the local film community.
Celebrate Black film and become the FUTURE INNOVATORS of Black film industry.
Meet the STORYTELLER DOING THE WORK.
PROJECT XIVION was founded by SJ ALEXANDER, an award-winning writer, producer, and filmmaker committed to building real pathways for Black creatives, artists, filmmakers, and STORYTELLERS from across the diaspora.
From WINNING screenplays, to producing short films, to working commercially within the film industry, SJ ALEXANDER bolsters real world industry experience with a formidable academic background.
ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN FILM & TELEVISION PRODUCTION @SCC SCHOOL OF FILM & THEATER
MASTERS IN FILM & MEDIA STUDIES @ASU
COMMERCIAL WRITING WORK FOR PROJECTS SEEN ON HBO MAX, HULU, BET, THE OSCARS, and MORE
THE FOUNDATION Begins NOW.
Stories outlive us. They tell our LEGENDS, our MYTHS —— and share our DESTINIES, our HOPES, and our DREAMS with the world.
If you’re serious about FILMMAKING, if you believe your VOICE matters, and if you want to begin your JOURNEY as a STORYTELLER…