The Other Side Special Screening and Q&A with Writer/Director Josh Leong, Cast and Crew
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021
Time: 11:00 am EST
THE OTHER SIDE is a narrative short film raising awareness for the ongoing orphan crisis in Ethiopia and starring
Ethan Herisse from Ava DuVernay's Emmy-winning Netflix series
WHEN THEY SEE US. Directed by 20-year-old filmmaker Josh Leong and produced by NYU students, the film was inspired by a true story and shot in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The film has played at five Academy Award-Qualifying Film Festivals and has helped raise $50,000 for orphans affected by COVID-19 in Ethiopia. To learn more about the crisis and read the film's companion guide, please visit
www.theothersideshortfilm.com.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Cast and Crew, including Writer and Director Josh Leong, Producer Sofia Bara, Director of Photography Tom Ingwersen, Actors Ethan Herisse (When They See Us), Adonai Kelelom, and Actress and Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist Wayna Wondwossen.
Josh Leong. Writer and Director / Based in New York, New YorkJosh Leong is an Asian-American writer/director from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Leong was recognized by President Obama and the House of Representatives. Winner of a Scholastic American Visions Award in 2018, Leong’s films have been screened at four Academy Award®-qualifying festivals and internationally. He has since developed commercials for clients such as Facebook, Uber, and Google under 1st Ave Machine. Josh interns with Circle of Confusion and De Line Pictures under producer Donald De Line, a former executive at Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios.
Sofia Bara. ProducerSofia Bara is an Argentinean writer and producer based in New York City. She has produced numerous commercials and short films, specializing in international production from Puerto Rico to Romania. Whether writing or producing, Sofia views film as a catalyst for truthful stories and instigating change. While pursuing a BFA at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and a Minor in Business, Sofia works on LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. Currently, she interns at Inner Child Productions under Debbie Liebling, former executive at 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures.
Tom Ingwersen. Director of PhotographyTom Ingwersen is a German filmmaker currently studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Working for Bauer Media he has traveled around the world capturing stories from all walks of life. He has been the director of photography for award-winning films, such as The Other Side. As a writer/director he is currently working on a short film in production and a feature-length film in pre-production.
Ethan Herisse. ActorEthan Herisse is an American actor who entered the film world at age 12. He has appeared in a number of notable films and videos such as “Key & Peele”, “Miss Virginia”, and “About a Boy.” Herisse now stars as Young Yusef Salaam in Ava DuVernay's limited Netflix series, "When They See Us,” the most-watched series on Netflix during its opening two weeks, remaining a heavy favorite at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Adonai Girmaye Kelelom. ActorAdonai Girmaye Kelelom is a 15-year-old Ethiopian actor. Though the role of Kiya stands as Kelelom’s professional debut, portraying this role has been one of “the best experiences [he’s] ever had,” and has inspired him to pursue a career in acting. He aims to study acting as well as neuroscience in the United States in the near future.
Wayna Wondwossen. Actress, Recording ArtistWayna Wondwossen is an R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Wayna is a Grammy-nominated performing artist. She worked as a writer for the Clinton White House before releasing three solo albums, garnering three Billboard-charting singles and a Grammy nomination. She currently tours as a vocalist with musical icon Stevie Wonder.