James Calinda

Recently, Ghetto Film School (GFS) lost a treasured member of our community, the great James Calinda.

James joined GFS in 2003 as a precocious, wildly talented 15-year-old providing love and light across the organization ever since. He was creative, insightful, intuitive, and understanding. In the words of one GFS alumnus,

”Whenever you saw James, that was the best part of your day.”

We are deeply saddened by his passing, and want to share with our network upcoming opportunities that honor his life and his family.

“GFS Celebrates James” Memorial - TBD, September 2025
The James Calinda legacy touched innumerable people across our community, and we’ll hold a September memorial where we can all gather and celebrate his life. To get memorial information details and updates please register here. On the link, we’ve included a section to share photos, videos, and quotes from our time with James, and will compile these memories so that his presence and purpose can reach even further. If you would like to share your sentiments in-person, please indicate on the link.

A Closing Note from the Family
”James Calinda was a bright, creative soul who lived life with passion and determination. As a talented filmmaker, James poured his heart into every project, always dreaming of becoming the greatest Black filmmaker. Though recognition sometimes eluded him, his family and friends saw his brilliance and the unique way he viewed the world. James faced mental health challenges throughout his life, and despite his strength, these struggles ultimately took him from us too soon. His family will always remember him as the greatest filmmaker they ever knew, and his legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he touched.”