Liisa Halloran '24 was awarded a Research Fulbright to produce a feature length documentary in Italy.
Why did you choose to apply for this award?
I chose to apply for this award because this project has been on my mind for over 3 years now. During my time at Oxy, I did an independent study with Professor Fox and won a Young Initiative Grant to create a short version of this documentary but I wasn't satisfied with just a short and felt this topic deserved a feature length project with the level of depth of research and nuance it requires.
Briefly describe the work you will be doing on your fellowship.
I will be researching and producing a documentary on the history of gendered violence in post war Italy through the lens of a first generation Italian-American.
What are you most looking forward to during your time as a fellow?
I'm most looking forward to connecting with my host professor and the other students at the University of La Sapienza.
How have your experiences at Oxy prepared you to apply for this award?
During my time at Oxy I had several professors and staff members who encouraged me to create and apply for various grants and assured me that I was capable of being a filmmaker. They guided me through the processes of research, pre-production, production, and editing and gave me the confidence and the skills to know how to execute something of this scale.
What advice would you give future applicants about the application process?
Be specific and clear about what you want to study and why! Demonstrate why your research is important and necessary to improving cultural exchange and why it has to be done in the country you're applying to.