WIF (Women In Film, Los Angeles) and e.l.f. Cosmetics have teamed up to launch a new program, e.l.f. Makers, designed to empower underrepresented filmmakers in Los Angeles. Through e.l.f.'s partnership, personal grants will be awarded to five WIF Fellows across a range of disciplines in film and television, helping advance their ongoing creative development.
The inaugural cohort of WIF Fellows receiving grants are:
Claire Brooks (she/her) (Producer) – Brooks currently serves as Executive Director of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and has produced Titus Kaphar’s acclaimed directorial debut, Exhibiting Forgiveness, and shepherded prestige television adaptations of “Sula” by Toni Morrison and “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett.
Justine Ellen Chen (Production Designer) – Chen works to bring texture, memory, and emotion to all the spaces they design and curate. Their design work has screened at festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, in music videos for pop sensations LISA (Blackpink) and Tyla, and most recently in the first feature they designed, SURRENDER.
Nova Taylor (they/them) (Editor) – Taylor is an award-winning video editor with a decade of television editing experience. Nova started editing on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “The Real Housewives of Potomac” before working on Netflix’s first reality show, “Queer Eye” – where they earned Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Picture Editing For A Structured Reality Or Competition Program” in 2018 and 2019.
Radha Mehta (she/her) (Director) – Mehta is a civil engineer turned filmmaker. After leading her family’s civil engineering business for two decades, Mehta now has an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute and has directed award-winning short films and documentaries such as DOSH, Winds of Silence, SŪNNA, Witness, Standing With Moms, Evan Ever After, and Being Gina.
Rayana Rasamee (she/her) (Cinematographer) – Rasamee's work is defined by mixed-media, bold color palettes, and a commitment to illuminating marginalized voices. Her films have screened widely, including at AFI Fest, Newport Beach Film Festival, Rhode Island International, LALIFF, Edmonton International, and Marché du Film at Cannes Film Festival.
“e.l.f. Cosmetics has been an invaluable partner to WIF,” said Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of WIF. “From their visionary sponsorship of our Honors gala to this new initiative investing directly in filmmakers, their continued commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices reflects our shared mission: to create pathways to ensure that every artist, no matter their gender expression, can thrive across the screen industries.”
“e.l.f. has set out to support, inspire and champion the next generation of dreamers,” said Josh Beane, Vice President, e.l.f. made, e.l.f. Beauty. “We embrace the power of storytelling and want to use our platform to create pathways for rising talent to tell their unique stories. Partnering with Women in Film (WIF) allows us to invest in emerging filmmakers from the ground up, empowering their creativity and careers.”
Includes a group photo of the five grantees from WIF Honors, and individual headshots and bios.
Group photo caption (L-R): Nova Taylor, Justine Ellen Chen, Rayana Rasamee, Radha Mehta, and Claire Brooks at WIF Honors 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: John Salangsang/Shutterstock for WIF.
About WIF
Founded in 1973 as Women In Film, Los Angeles, WIF has been fighting for gender equity for more than 50 years. Its advocacy, career programs, and research efforts are a driving force for increasing gender representation in Hollywood. WIF works to dismantle gender bias in the screen industries by building the pipeline, sustaining careers, and advocating for change. Membership is open to all screen industry professionals and more information can be found on our website: WIF.org. WIF is led by Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Schaffer and Chair of the Board of Directors Syrinthia Studer. Follow WIF on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
About e.l.f. Cosmetics
e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) is fueled by a belief that anything is e.l.f.ing possible. We are a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. e.l.f. Cosmetics, our global flagship brand, makes the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip and face by bringing together the best of beauty, culture and entertainment. Our superpower is delivering universally appealing, premium quality products at accessible prices that are e.l.f. clean and vegan, all double-certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA as cruelty free. We are proud to have products made in Fair Trade Certified™ facilities. Learn more at www.elfcosmetics.com.
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