From Rutgers University to the Cannes Film Festival! Who would have thought that 23-year-old Natalie James would win an “Award for Best Editing and Best Audience Response” for her film “Ante Up” at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival? The award accompanied a $1000 scholarship towards her degree. At this year’s festival, it was a big year for women filmmakers, directors and editors. James was among a handful of young women filmmakers from the U.S. Her only red carpet appearance was for the film “Graduation Too.” She looked stunning in a perfectly fitted sheath in an appropriate cocktail length. Her purple and grey dress was created by Bebe, a top international fashion designer.
Her hardworking journey to Cannes began last year at Rutgers’ Campus Movie Festival. It was her first experience participating in one of her school’s film competitions. The top four winners of the competition went straight to Hollywood. Although she was not included (she was one of the nominees), giving up was not an option. She is extremely grateful for the help and support received from her parents, Dr. Darren and Mrs. Adrienne James and family.
While growing up in Manhasset, L.I. and attending high school, she showed an interested in making films. Back then, she didn’t like the way minorities, and especially women, were portrayed in films. In the film industry, jobs for women were scarce. Getting callbacks was difficult. So James started her own film company, Visual Barz, Inc., and she works out of her home, now in New Jersey.
While attending Rutgers, she works towards obtaining a film certificate as part of her degree. The film courses introduced her to teachers such as Dena Seidel, founding director of Digital Filming Program and Hedert Peck at Rutgers TV Network. They became her mentors. At the network, she produced a live morning show and taught students how to use the equipment. Presently, she teaches film production to special needs children at the New Road School of Somerset.
After the school’s festival James collaborated with the other young filmmakers that she met at the competition. The experience inspired her to produce her half-hour film “Ante Up.” She recalls feeling the need to fill a void in the film market, and she wanted to add more films that would encourage young folks to pursue their dreams.
After her film was screened and reviewed in New York and London, James was surprised by the emailed notice inviting her to participate at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film “Ante Up” is about a cocky, arrogant poker player so used to winning that he thought he could take advantage of someone new at the table. Don’t bet more than you are willing to lose. It’s a great moral to the story.
At the Cannes Film Festival, James was proud to be an African-American female filmmaker, although she was not the only one. She learned more about the industry and business of making films. Funding is an important part of the process.
“The exposure was incredible,” remarked James. “It was a trip that I will never forget.”
James wants to bring other people along and hire women. More importantly, she wants her films to talk about subjects of substance.
Congratulations Natalie James!