Filmmaker Rosanna Peng Awarded Grant for Her narrative short film “Bowling Bao”.
BendFilm, Inc announced the winner of its annual $10,000 BIPOC Woman Filmmaker Grant. This annual program created by BendFilm awards a filmmaking grant to a woman of color to promote diversity and inclusion in the film industry. The 2024 winner is director Rosanna Peng for her project ‘Bowling Bao’: a short film that captures the internal struggles of identity, belonging, and self-expression, offering a raw, authentic look at how societal expectations—rooted in class, gender, and culture—can stifle one’s sense of self. By focusing on Mei’s journey in a male-dominated, hierarchical space, the film speaks to the universal desire to be seen and accepted for who we truly are.
Rosanna Peng is a film director based in Los Angeles. With a self-taught film background, Rosanna has worked in the commercial film industry for over a decade, directing for global brands such as Google, Nike, Canon, Urban Decay, Strava, Spotify, and more. Her visual style is a unique balance of strength and sensitivity; a unique blend of boldness and tenderness has helped her create ephemeral work across beauty, sports, lifestyle, and now, a short film about an immigrant bowling community. Rosanna is passionate about empowering her subjects and viewers to sharing their stories and true selves.
BendFilm’s Director of Communication & Development, RJ Quiris, who hosted the pitch event on Saturday, said, “The BIPOC Woman Filmmaker Grant is an amazing program that BendFilm leverages in efforts to support women filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. Bowling Bao, by Director Rosanna Peng, was chosen because of its well-depicted storyline that provides a lens into the world of female hardships and Chinese-immigration to the United States. This storyline, accompanied by the artistic direction and main setting to take place in a vintage bowling alley in Oregon – I, as well as the BendFilm Team, are truly excited to be able to watch the final production. Congratulations, Rosanna!”
This year’s competition featured a total of 205 submissions from filmmakers across the country. A panel of industry experts and filmmakers selected ‘Bowling Bao’ from six finalists.
This project was supported by a grant provided by the Creative Opportunity Program and Oregon Film – OregonFilm.org, NewSun Energy, Braemar Charitable Trust, and Infocus Eye Care.
Find out more at BendFilm.org