Who We Are
Based out of Los Angeles, California, the Sunflower Seed Foundation is right in the heart of the American film industry. A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit operating for educational and cultural purposes, the SSF aims to run programs that place up and coming female filmmakers from Saudi Arabia in educational film workshops in America, as well as in short-term positions in American film and television production companies.
Our Mission
Validate the talents and dreams of female filmmakers from Saudi Arabia by creating and providing opportunities for them in the American film industry and higher education system.
In the Know
LA26 Animation Program
The Sunflower Seed Foundation is proud to launch the inaugural LA26 Animation Intensive, a one-week exchange fellowship in partnership with LEGO Entertainment.
Filmmaker Spotlight Series
We believe that no matter which career stage a woman might currently be in, her work is commendable and should be celebrated.
Volunteer Opportunities
Share your time and skills to help with events, mentorship, or outreach. Your generosity today plants the seeds of tomorrow’s storytellers.
Meet Our Team
LAURI DONOVAN
Administrative Assistant & Wellbeing Coordinator
Lauri is the Sunflower Seed Foundation Administrative Assistant who helps to coordinate the Spotlight Series and various aspects of program planning. She will also be serving as the Wellbeing Coordinator for the LA26 Animation Intensive, supporting the participants during their time in Los Angeles, CA.
HANSEL CARTER IV
USA Director of Operations
Hansel is a marketing professional, educator, and filmmaker from Florida, USA. He also works for youth empowerment initiatives and enrichment programs across the United States, France, Spain, Greece, and Croatia. He works as a screenwriter and Assistant Director on film sets. Hansel prepares minutes from Board meetings, resolutions and board policies while aiding in the selection of filmmakers for the SSF’s Programs.
ASTIN DONOVAN
Graphic Designer
Astin is a marketing professional and wellness advocate based in Nashville, Tennessee. With a creative mind and a love for people she found this role to be the right fit, serving the mission of the Sunflower Seed Foundation by overseeing the visual representation of the organization.
GEORGE WANG
Treasurer
George works in the financial world and is based out of New York City. George has experience supporting and building capital for film projects with a careful analysis of budgets and detailing economic policies. He is responsible for steering financial planning and strategy while organizing major fundraising initiatives for the SSF.
SYDNEY LECLERC
Spotlight Series Author
Based in New England, Sydney is an Editorial Assistant at Macmillan Learning. She pulls on these professional roots to write original pieces for the SSF that aim to promote rising female filmmakers from Saudi Arabia.
BLAKE DONOVAN
Founder & Chairman
Blake oversees the organization’s operations and leads in partner relations while developing programs that provide both short and long term benefits to the filmmakers that participate in them. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also works in animation production for the Entertainment division of the LEGO Group.
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