One City, Two Stories: A Double Feature with Arielle

What could be better than one incredible cultural exchange experience? Two! Just ask Arielle Estrada, an aspiring filmmaker from France who spent the past year in San Francisco, CA, splitting her time between internships at two different host organizations. The first was at the California Film Institute (CFI), an organization that uses the power of storytelling through film as a way to educate, inspire, and entertain. While at CFI, Arielle helped to develop educational programs and manage special events, including the Mill Valley Film Festival. She also learned about the technical tools and skills necessary for video productions. At Canyon Cinema, a foundation dedicated to educating the public about independent, non-commercial, experimental, avant-garde, and artist-made moving images, Arielle was able to enhance her knowledge of film archives and preservation. Through these two distinct, yet complementary, internships Arielle was able to develop the skills that will help her become a well-rounded filmmaker.

We caught up with Arielle to hear about her exchange experience and how it has impacted her future career in filmmaking!

What impact has your exchange experience had on your life and your career?

My experience has definitely been extremely positive both on a personal and on a professional level. I had the chance to be challenged at the California Film Institute, to be offered responsibilities and a diversity of projects to work on that gave me more confidence and ideas for the future. And interning at Canyon Cinema once per week was more like an opportunity to enter a world that brings a now-endless interest for me: the world of archives preservation and the culture of American experimental cinema! The connections I created in the Bay Area are one-of-a-kind and will remain very strong. In general, people here seemed to me to be extremely considerate, creative, and straightforward. I learnt a lot from the diversity and inventiveness of this place!

What is your favorite memory from your exchange program?

I enjoyed biking to the Canyon Cinema every week. I would enter this big industrial building full of workshops and studios, push open the door to Canyon Cinema and feel as if I was entering a secret place detaining a big slice of cinema history. At the California Film Institute, one of the best memories was leading the Young Curators summer program. It consisted in teaching a group of young movie aficionados how to curate a “Youth Reel” section for the Mill Valley Film Festival. We watched and discussed 150 short films in three days and it was wonderful! Another tremendous memory was producing a five episode TV series from scratch. In it, I would invite teenagers to be the hosts of the show and they would talk about a storytelling and filmmaking workshop they had participated at the California Film Institute many years ago. They would then comment on the evolution of their inspiration and stories.

What was your favorite cultural activity to do in San Francisco? 

A lot happens in the streets of San Francisco, particularly in the Mission district. Carnaval, Halloween, Pride Days, Dia de los Muertos, or regular Sundays at Dolores Park . . . these certainly were my favorite cultural activities. I enjoyed the beautiful performances and drag shows in SoMa, and regularly went to the BAMPFA events in Berkeley. As a person involved in film, I tried to go to as many theaters as I could and appreciated the variety of their styles. One of the best things about living in the Bay area was also the proximity of beautiful mountains and natural landscapes. The south coast of San Francisco was one of my favorite places to go.

What advice can you offer to future exchange visitors coming to the United States?

In the United States, the work culture is very interesting. It is intense, but very challenging and you feel a real commitment to work collaboratively. There is also definitely a sense of “giving a chance” to young people and creators that I had never felt as strongly in other countries. Take advantage of it! Coming from Old Europe, North America felt to me like the land of optimism: if you are committed to what you are doing, you will find support and positivity. Finally, remember that you also have a lot to bring from your own culture and background. Your difference will really be appreciated by your hosts and you should not be scared to value it.

What does cultural exchange mean to you? 

It is hard to give a personal definition of what cultural exchange is because it feels like the words never fit quite well. I prefer the idea of intersections. It is more relevant with the way I have experienced culture and situated myself since I was a child in a complex network of cultural references and values. Nevertheless in a broad sense it could be learning humility and always putting in perspective what you think constitutes the core of your beliefs. It could be getting to know yourself better by knowing others, or reinventing yourself, getting multiple selves by becoming more creative. It could also be embracing diversity and be inspired by it.

To see more of Arielle’s amazing work, check out her website or follow her on Instagram!

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