
Celebrating Rae’s Journey
From award-winning scripts to acclaimed films, and thought-provoking poetry, Rae’s work has inspired, entertained, and left a lasting mark on audiences around the world. Her accolades reflect not only her talent but her passion, perseverance, and dedication to storytelling in all its forms. Here, you’ll find a collection of honors, recognitions, and achievements that showcase the incredible breadth of her creative career.

Professional Achievements
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Finalist, Stage32 Color Farm Media Diversity Talent Accelerator and Screenwriting Contest, February 2026
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In Living Memory, 4-minute experimental animated short film
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Official Selection: Denton Black Film Festival, Denton, TX, March 2026
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Official Selection: Atlanta Film Series: Underground Film Festival, Atlanta, GA, August 2025
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Official Selection: Atlanta Film Series: Microshorts Film Festival, Atlanta, GA, April 2025
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Finalist, Diversity In Cannes Virtual Showcase, Cannes, Fr, April 2025
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Official Selection: Roxbury International Film Festival, Boston, MA, June 2025
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Semifinalist, Dumbo Film Festival, NY, August 2025
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Recipient, Independence Public Media Fund, 2024
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Lupine Collaborative, Inaugural Writing Retreat, 2024
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Recipient, Leander Morris and Allen E Clark Music Memorial Scholarship, 2024 (Shattered)
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Recipient, Set In Philadelphia Screenwriting Nina Lo Presti Prize, 2024
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Fellow, Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders (MEFL), 2024 Presenter, William and Louise Greaves Seminar, BlackStar Film Festival, 2024 (The Short)
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Recipient, Marcus Early Career Research Award, SF State, 2023
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Recipient, Provost Pretenure Time Award, SF State, 2023
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Quarterfinalist, Cynosure Screenwriting Awards, 2023
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ITVS Diversity Development Fund (DDF) Fellow, 2023 Recipient, Independence Public Media Fund, 2023
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STS (Science, Technology & Society) Fellowship at SF State, 2023
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LCA Mini Grant Award, SF State, 2023 (The Short)
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Quarterfinalist, NYWIFT Writers Lab, NY, 2023
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Quarterfinalist, Makazan Films Directing program, CA, 2023
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Finalist, Athena Writers Lab at Barnard College, NY, 2023
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Semifinalist, Cynosure Screenwriting Awards, CA, 2022
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Recipient, SF State Scholarly and Research Activities Fund, CA, 2023
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Finalist, Golden Script Screenwriting Competition, 2022
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Quarterfinalist, Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2021
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Recipient, Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowship, 2021 Recipient, Faculty Advancement Fund Grant, 2021
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Black Kung Fu Chick Series Episodes, Super8mm, December 2020
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Official Selection, Slamdance Film Festival, UT, 2021
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Official Selection, Afro-Comic-Con, CA, 2021
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Best Editing, Stareable Fest, 2022, Los Angeles, CA 2022
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Semifinalist, Cynosure Screenwriting Awards, 2020
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Semifinalist, Screenwriters’ Colony, 2020
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Recipient, President’s Fund for Curricular Innovation (PFCI), 2019 (The Afrofuture is Female Screening Series)
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Semifinalist, NYWIFT Writers Lab, 2019
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Recipient, Faculty Advancement Fund Grant, 2019
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Finalist, Stowe Story Labs, 2019
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Quarterfinalist, Atlanta Film Festival Script Competition, 2019
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Finalist, Kimbilio Fiction Writers Retreat, 2018 Little Red’s Pie, Super 8mm short film, 2016
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Genre Reawakenings: Experimental Horror Shorts, Pleasure Dome, TO, 2021
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Official Selection, Shocktober Film Festival, IL, 2018
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Official Selection, Ax Wound Film Festival, VT, 2017
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Finalist, PGA Diversity Lab, 2018
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Semifinalist, Universal Feature Writing Program, 2018
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Semifinalist, Sundance Episodic Lab, 2018
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Second Runner Up Diversity Category, Cynosure Screenwriting Awards, 2017
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Quarterfinalist, Cynosure Screenwriting Awards, 2017
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Semifinalist, Austin Film Festival Script Competition, 2017
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Finalist, Screencraft Horror Screenplay Competition, 2017
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Quarterfinalist, WeScreenplay TV Pilot Competition, 2017
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Pro8mm November Film Grant Winner, 2016
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Featured Storyteller, Sex Speaks: “Get Me Bodied,” 2015
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Quarterfinalist, Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, 2014
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Featured Poet, Southwest College “Say the Word” Poetry Event, 2014
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Featured Poetry, Kodak Storyboard “Poetry in Motion,” 2012
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Finalist, Juntobox Films, 2012
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Frances E. Williams Artist Grant, 2007
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Guy A. Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship, 2006
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Delaware Division of the Arts Emerging Artist Fellowship Grant, 2005
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Soap and Roses, 16mm short film, 2003
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Best Narrative, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, NY, 2007
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Best Student Film, Los Angeles Reel Women International Film Festival, CA, 2005
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Best Cinematography and Best Actor, University of Miami Canes Student Film Festival, FL, 2003
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Favorite Student Film, Wilmington Independent Film Festival, DE, 2003
