Now that his undergraduate career is a wrap, Julien Sanchez-Levallois, ’25, is ready for his next act—this time stepping behind the camera for a year-long artistic journey that promises to bring a fresh cinematic lens to his hometown of New Haven.
A history major, musician, and visual artist, Julien was awarded the prestigious Chauncey Fellowship by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven in December 2024. The $25,000 grant supports his independent film project, allowing him to merge his creative passions into a work deeply connected to the city he calls home.
While the financial support is key, Julien says the project’s heart is community. What began as a concept for a music album has since evolved into a full-fledged screenplay—co-written with his brother—centered on a comedic murder mystery set in New Haven. The city itself, he emphasizes, will play a central a role in the film.
Julien’s journey to this moment has been anything but linear, yet it has always been creatively driven. A graduate of New Haven’s Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School (Co-op), he entered Southern in the fall of 2021, attracted by the university’s history program. He credits filmmaker George Lucas as a significant influence in shaping his passion for storytelling through historical contexts.
“I wanted to pursue history as an extension of storytelling,” Julien said. “Taking real events and ideas and reinterpreting them—that’s how you tell meaningful stories. That’s what drew me in.”
At Southern, Julien found opportunities that expanded his artistic range. Courses in music technology and sound production deepened his interest in audio mixing and film scoring. Coupled with his background in visual arts and songwriting, his creative vision naturally evolved into an interdisciplinary approach.
One of his fondest college memories is founding the Southern Music Club. What began informally blossomed into a sought-after student organization, offering jam sessions, production workshops, and eventually a concert where Julien performed original songs and covers on guitar.
“It was this amazing moment after COVID where I really connected with others,” he reflected. “That was a turning point—not just in music, but in feeling like I was part of something again.”
Now, Julien is assembling a grassroots production team, collaborating with local costume designers, musicians, actors, and makeup artists to bring his vision to life.
“It’s about the collaborative process,” he said. “I want this to be a platform that helps others move forward in their own creative journeys.”
Though he describes the film’s execution as “run-and-gun,” Julien’s vision is bold. With auditions and pre-production already underway, he’s planning an intensive three-week shoot. His goal: to premiere the film by June 2026—coinciding with the end of his fellowship—and possibly submit it to festivals like Sundance.
Outside of filmmaking, Julien’s talents extend into museum work. He particularly enjoyed his experience in provenance research, which he explored during a New Haven Promise-sponsored internship at the Yale Center for British Art.
“They let me try everything,” he said. “I loved researching the history behind artworks—figuring out who owned them decades ago. That detective work was thrilling.”
Julien credits the New Haven Promise program as pivotal to his college journey.
“I don’t know if I could have gone to college without them,” he acknowledged. “They’ve helped me so much.”
As he graduates and prepares to navigate post-college life, Julien admits the transition is daunting. While he doesn’t plan to return to school immediately, he remains open to wherever creativity may lead—even possibly back to Europe, nodding to his French heritage. For now, though, he’s staying close to New Haven, the city that has fueled his growth as an artist.
His advice to fellow students?
“Don’t get too caught up in the practical path,” he said. “We’re handed this education structure for 20 years, and then suddenly, it’s gone. It’s scary, but this fellowship is helping bridge that. Try things. Accept new experiences.”
The Chauncey Fellowship honors Henry “Sam” Chauncey Jr., who served as Yale University’s secretary and founded New Haven’s Science Park and was also the president of Gaylord Hospital. The fellowship aims to remove financial obstacles that hinder young people from following their aspirations and to assist recent college graduates involved in artistic or community-oriented projects, helping them realize their visions.
