Idaho Film Collection 2021 grant recipients

Niharika Dinkar, associate professor of art at Boise State, will conduct archival research on the crossover popularity of the Oriental snake dance in Ruth St. Denis’s “Cobra” (1906) and memorialized in early cinema by Loie Fuller’s “Serpentine Dance” (1896). Dinkar will examine archival records held by the New York Public Library.

Joey Ohls, Boise State Media Arts alum, will produce a pilot episode for a narrative series he’s developed based on the comedic nature of financial instability of young adults. Ohls said, “I am quite excited to have the opportunity and I hope by sharing my story it will inspire others to do the same.”

Chelsea Smith, independent filmmaker and communications and project coordinator in the Center for the Study of Aging at Boise State, will produce her film, “The Trial.” The short comedy puts the details of a couples’ newly minted relationship “on trial” in a dramatic courtroom setting. The film will star local actors Nick Garcia and Hollis Welsh, as well as the LA-based actors Jack Mikesell and Christina Birdsall. Smith has a background in documentary and commercial film and this will be her directorial debut for a narrative short film.