11 May Philadelphia Artist Spotlight: S. L. Sawyer

BY GABE CASTRO

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Artist Spotlight highlighting local filmmakers and moving image artists doing unique and impactful work.

S.L. Sawyer is a communications strategist turned film producer and creator. Sawyer transformed her passion and knowledge for film into opportunities for independent and burgeoning filmmakers to create content that truly represents the diverse landscape of Philadelphia. These opportunities include the 5 Shorts Project, a creative initiative that strives to make filmmaking accessible for underserved communities. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the 5 Shorts Project, making it one of the few film companies in Philadelphia owned and operated by an African American woman. The project expanded and now has a program specifically for youth creators in the city who work together to combat the gun violence epidemic in our neighborhoods called the Bout Mine, I Matter: Youth Gun Violence Deterrent Program. 

While her organizing and producing skills have helped many new filmmakers start their creative journeys, Sawyer is a creator in her own right with emotional and conversational pieces that will move you. Her intimate and personal film, Sometimes I Cry in June, tells the story of her brother who she lost to gun violence in 2020. In a conversation with the Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Helen Ubiñas, she explained it as a cathartic piece, saying, “This is the conversation I wished I had with him before he was gone. It was a form of therapy, a way to feel close to him.”

Her brother, Allen Tayor, was one of nearly 500 homicide victims in the city in 2020. This impactful moment spurred her into action, first in creating her 20-minute documentary and later creating the Bout Mine program to inspire change in her community. She has become a reliable voice and advocate for justice, speaking on panels and at events to change the narrative around our understanding of gun violence in the city. 

Always up for a challenge, Sawyer’s most recent film pivots into a new genre. GRWM is a short horror film about Jess, a micro-influencer dealing with the weight of society and expectation on her shoulders. She struggles with anxiety but quickly finds her medication incapable of shielding her from a sinister visitor, one who is waiting to show Jess’s virtual audience her true identity. The film is creative, moving the audience between two worlds: Jess’s virtual influencer world and the real one. In the end, Jess must face the overwhelming pressure that not only influencers face but the unique struggles that come with being a Black woman. Just as her documentary had been a point of healing, GRWM inspires us to sit down and listen, to give and receive grace. 

Her next piece will be another challenge and is focused around love. Sawyer confesses this is outside her comfort zone, saying, “The romance genre is a stretch for me. I prefer psychological thrillers, documentaries, or action films.” With her passion and film family support, she’s certain to make something equally impactful and moving. 

cinéSPEAK asked Sawyer about the themes in her work, what inspired her recent film, and how her art continues to grow. 

cinéSPEAK: What inspired you to be a media artist?

S.L. Sawyer: I enjoy visual storytelling. As a filmmaker, I can create and tell my story from my perspective. There is a freedom in doing so. I believe visual storytelling is a powerful tool for education and inspiration. Through filmmaking, I have the opportunity to bring audiences into my thoughts, my world. I can share vulnerabilities and build connections with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. For me, filmmaking gives me a voice to shout out loud through the lens of entertainment. 

cinéSPEAK: How did you get started on GRWM?

SLS: My “film family” and I decided to work on a collaborative film project for the horror genre. We wanted [to] challenge ourselves with taking on a genre that we had little experience with, in order to build our skills. Collectively, we decided to create horror films that centered social media as the villain. From that aspect, we created short films inspired from how we viewed the horrors of social media individually.

cinéSPEAK: How has Philadelphia shaped and influenced the process and/or content of your work? And what impact do you hope your work will have in the Philadelphia community?

SLS: Philadelphia is home. I know no other place but Philadelphia. I’ve witnessed first-hand the bad that happens here but I’ve also witnessed the beauty of culture and creativity. Philadelphia is part of my DNA. Whether it’s using words like “jawn” or “my bad” [or] our style and “Philly accent,” it’s a part of me that will be with me forever. Because of this, all of my films have been shot in Philadelphia with cast and crew based in or around Philadelphia. 

I hope my work will inspire those who are unsure about their skills and ability to make a film to take the leap. I started producing films without any monetary or operational support. I want fellow filmmakers to know that if they’re willing to put action behind their dreams and goals that they can accomplish anything and be a source of support for those who wish to follow them. I hope my work inspires others to always pay it forward. 

Follow Sawyer on social media (@5ShortsProject) to keep up with her work with the 5 Shorts Project, the Bout Mine Program, and her advocacy initiatives. GRWM and Sometimes I Cry in June are available on Youtube as well as all of the 5 Shorts Project films. You can learn more about the 5 Shorts Project in cineSPEAK’s Organizational Spotlight by Journal Fellow Andre Cherry.

*Featured Image: Image from on the set of #GRWM. Image credit: Chris McClean.

Would you like to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the Philadelphia Artist Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org

---

Gabe Castro is a Philadelphia-based Latiné multimedia professional specializing in the horror genre. Gabe believes media can be used as a tool to bring social change and works in all she does to create impactful and inspiring media.