The Gabriel Fellowship, a new program dedicated to telling stories of faith, is made possible through a generous grant from a Chicago-area filmmaker. The films will premiere at a private screening and panel discussion on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

Chicago (Nov. 6, 2024) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will premiere three short-form documentaries from emerging directors participating in The Gabriel Fellowship, a new program dedicated to telling stories of faith, made possible through a generous grant from Jessica Sarowitz, a Chicago-area philanthropist and filmmaker. This inaugural cohort of films focuses on ministering to the incarcerated, welcoming and accompanying migrants as they arrive in Chicagoland and following a bush pilot priest ministering to those in remote and rural areas of Alaska. The films will debut at a private screening on Thursday, Nov. 7 followed by a panel discussion featuring the filmmakers and Sarowitz.

“The Gabriel Fellowship aims to nurture filmmakers committed to telling stories of the Catholic faith that illuminate issues of justice, human dignity and service to the marginalized and those in remote locations,” said Vince Gerasole, director of multimedia content at the Archdiocese of Chicago. “The fellowship supports filmmakers with mentorship, funding, and production resources as they bring these stories to life through film.”

The three directors, each recent college graduates with a background in film, were chosen for their commitment to telling impactful stories that reflect the Church’s teachings on justice, compassion and service. The fellowship provided them with financial support, professional guidance, and access to Catholic ministries, enabling them to capture authentic, powerful narratives. Each was given a budget and equipment to create short-form documentaries of their own. They also covered local events at Archdiocese of Chicago parishes to gain additional experience in filming and storytelling.

The Gabriel Fellowship, named after the Archangel Gabriel, God’s messenger, is funded by Jessica Sarowitz, a Chicago-area resident, social impact investor and managing partner of 4SBay Partners. She is the founder of Miraflores Films and is the executive producer of “With This Light” and one of the executive producers of the Emmy-nominated “Freedom On Fire.” She created Miraflores Films to bring awareness to the stories of marginalized groups and amplify inspiring voices through documentary film. A graduate of DePaul University, with a degree in economics, she supports entrepreneurial and philanthropic projects.

Featured documentaries:

“Kolbe House” - a film by Trevor Tosto

Tosto is a native of the Detroit metropolitan area and a 2023 graduate of Marquette University’s film program. Tosto filmed inside the Cook County Jail for several months profiling the work of Kolbe House, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago dedicated to serving the spiritual needs and rehabilitation of the incarcerated.

“Agentes De Su Propio Desarrollo (Agents Of Their Own Development)” - a film by Henry Van Zytveld

Van Zytveld is a native of Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood and a 2023 graduate of the film program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. His film profiles the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Pastoral Migratoria, immigrant to immigrant ministry, that has accompanied migrants and welcomed the stranger not just at this current time of crisis but throughout the years. His film is in Spanish and English.

“Ministry at the Edge of Alaska” - a film by Malina Baer

Baer is from Greenville, Wis., and a 2023 graduate of DePaul University’s film program. Her documentary follows Alaskan bush pilot priest Fr. Scott Garrett as he flies to remote corners of the state, sharing faith and hope with those who call these isolated villages home.

The panel discussion follows the screening and will be led by Sarowitz.

More about The Gabriel Fellowship program can be found at https://radiotv.archchicago.org/about-us/gabriel-fellowship.