Hallmark’s Make Her Mark Program For Women Directors Elects Two New Participants. Hallmark Media has been making strides in Women-led productions. With the success of their kick-off movie to this year’s “Spring Into Love” event, they have announced today that they have elected two more participants.
Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe was the inaugural director of the “Make Her Mark” program. She shadowed director Jessica Harmon on the set of Hallmark’s ‘Dream Moms.’ Yan-Kay then made her own directorial debut in ‘Shifting Gears.’ This debuted on March 23, 2024. This movie starred Hallmark heartthrob Tyler Hynes and Katherine Barrell.
Rounding out the inaugural pilot year are Kay Metchie and Eva Tavares. Kay Metchie shadowed Mike Rohl, as he directed the Hallmark Mystery movie, ‘The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death is Listening.”
Furthermore, Eva Tavares will shadow director Peter Benson on an untitled 2024 Countdown To Christmas movie. This will head into production this month. This will mark the program’s first collaboration with Hallmark Channel’s Iconic Countdown to Christmas.
Make Her Mark is currently accepting applications for its next class. To learn more about the program requirements and apply, please visit Make Her Mark. Submissions will close on May 6, 2024.
Make Her Mark grants aspiring female filmmakers the opportunity to shadow an established Hallmark director. This takes them throughout the entire production process of a Hallmark-branded movie.
Participants will work towards the ultimate opportunity of directing a Hallmark movie, supported by their mentor. The on-the-job mentorship initiative was founded by longtime Hallmark actor and creative partner Ashley Williams and was designed to support and increase representation of women behind the camera.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Kay and Eva to the Make Her Mark program and to kick off our search for more talented women who are deserving of their shot in the director’s chair,” said Williams. “Kay and Eva bring fresh perspectives, artistic vision, and collaborative spirits to set, and we’re confident that they will be strong additions to our growing family of female directors.”
Kay Shioma Metchie is a director, writer, and actor. Metchie recently worked in the writer’s room for a Bell/CW series and the development room for season 2 of a CBC/CW series. She has directed and produced several shorts including Weeds Are Flowers, Too, which was one of six films selected for the Crazy8s Film Festival in 2022, the biggest independent film festival in Vancouver.
Hallmark director throughout the entire production process of a Hallmark movie. Participants will work towards the ultimate opportunity of directing a Hallmark movie, supported by their mentor. The on-the-job mentorship initiative was founded by longtime Hallmark actor and creative partner Ashley Williams and was designed to support and increase representation of women behind the camera.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Kay and Eva to the Make Her Mark program and to kick off our search for more talented women who are deserving of their shot in the director’s chair,” said Williams. “Kay and Eva bring fresh perspectives, artistic vision, and collaborative spirits to set, and we’re confident that they will be strong additions to our growing family of female directors.”
Kay Shioma Metchie is a director, writer, and actor. Metchie recently worked in the writer’s room for a Bell/CW series and the development room for season 2 of a CBC/CW series. She has directed and produced several shorts including Weeds Are Flowers, Too, which was one of six films selected for the Crazy8s Film Festival in 2022, the biggest independent film festival in Vancouver.
Eva Tavares is an award-winning director and actor. Most recently portraying Christine in the Broadway Tour of Phantom of the Opera, Tavares is a graduate of the Women In The Director’s Chair Career Advancement Module for Female Directors, the Banff/Citadel Training Program, UBC Opera, and the LAMDA Short Course. She has garnered international acclaim in the narrative and music video realm with her Leo nominated/UBCP/ACTRA award-winning short A Little Vacation, and I’m Still Here, her music video for local artist Kristin Carter and Creative BC.
“My experience with Make Her Mark has been like a masterclass in filmmaking. I’m able to see and participate in all creative processes, while also learning how to be a good leader,” said Metchie. Continued Tavares, “Make Her Mark has changed my career trajectory as a director. The training, mentorship, and most importantly, the network of strong, skilled individuals I’ve met thus far through this program have proven to be incredibly rewarding.”
