

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breven Warren.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Breven. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was introduced to the entertainment industry as a child. I earned my SAG card at age nine and was always passionate about the creative arts. I later used film as my medium of choice in university to further explore the various subjects I was studying, including documenting my studies abroad. After university, I found myself reconnecting with some of the industry friends of my youth and was quickly doing everything I could to be on a set either in front of or behind the camera. Inspired by my creative community and working with various NGOs on their promotional materials, I began organizing mentorship programs for youth with industry professionals. We began producing projects that would find their way on the festival circuit.
After a decade producing, programming, curating and volunteering at extraordinary festivals and film organizations, I went back to graduate school to explore the efficacy and sustainability of existing filmmaker labs and fellowships. Upon completion of my case studies with fellows and within the filmmaker support landscape, I worked at a tech startup that allowed me to further research and develop potential artist support initiatives, tools and resources that merge with new technologies. During this time, I continued my own research through an MBA and JM program to further understand the independent filmmaker support landscape and its place in the studio system. I am now working towards what I understand to be the future of independent filmmaker support.
I believe that new support models for independent filmmakers can inspire systemic change that address equity and sustainability in the entertainment industry. I’m advocating and further researching these viable artist support models that exists alongside the current entertainment industry but inspires and reevaluates existing practices. I believe this intentional and strategic support of filmmakers will be significantly more synergetic and more profitable. We are in very early stages, but I am thrilled about what comes next.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I absolutely believe every obstacle and opportunity that I have encountered has added incredible value to my work. I continue to be blessed with many challenges, each that pushes me towards my goals to address positive change in the entertainment industry that I care so deeply about. I have always pursued my passions, often over more traditional means of sustaining one’s self. That said, I am forever grateful for all of the friends’ couches that I have lived on in Los Angeles. My partner and I, with our friend’s help, have built all of our own furniture to double as beds so that we always have a very comfortable space to give back whenever a creative (or several) may be in need.
Please tell us about Angaelica.
Angaelica was founded as an arts and ecology organization in 2004. Growing our community through films, festivals and farms. We began hosting our international mentorship film festival in 2008 and collaborated on various urban farming initiatives. We expanded to outdoor adventures and camping trips with our filmmakers and alumni. Hoping to empower artists and connect creatives in the outdoors, we have always been very open to being as authentic as possible for our community. Founding the festival in the Pacific Northwest, we have now hosted events and screenings in WA, OR, CA, MN and FL, both on our own and in collaboration with other events, including popup galleries during Art Basel Miami Beach.
Angaelica is ever-evolving and actively expanding beyond our boutique productions and mentorship festival. Our mission is to build out our artist support and resources based on our extensive research and alumni feedback, including an intentional film fund for emerging talent.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I produced my first large scale event at ten years old. Twenty years later, a few guests of that initial event attended an edition of my international film festival. Their feedback was that not much has really changed, I was then and I am still trying to bring everyone together to celebrate creatives and honor their efforts. While it seems it has been a myriad of various paths to do so, I am ever driven to support my creative community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angaelica.com
- Phone: 561-676-4696
- Email: bwarren@angaelica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angaelicaartists/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angaelica/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/angaelica
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angaelica/
Image Credit:
Joe Sands, Ian Stroud, Robin Bisio
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.