Disney and the Sundance Institute are teaming up to help 24 filmmakers in the early stages of their creative careers. The two institutions have announced two new cycles of both their Project Advancement and Completion Fund, which provides filmmakers with $25,000 grants designed to help complete a specific project; and the Artist Fellowship, which provides $15,000 grants intended to help develop a career in the arts.
The partnership between Disney and Sundance was first announced in November 2023, when the first round of grants were awarded. IndieWire can exclusively reveal the next two cycle of recipients, which includes “Josephine” director Beth de Araújo.
“We are grateful for the collaboration with The Walt Disney Studios, which enables us to provide critical financial and tactical support to talented filmmakers, empowering them to advance their films and cultivate sustainable creative careers. We are proud to champion these filmmakers as they continue to refine their voices and share their unique perspectives with the world,” said Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, director of the Artist Accelerator & Women @ Sundance Institute.
“Sundance Institute has an incredible track record of finding and nurturing breakout talent. We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the Institute to champion this next generation of filmmakers and provide meaningful support as they continue developing their craft and careers,” said Mahita Simpson, head of Creative Talent Pathways for The Walt Disney Studios.
The complete list of grant recipients and their films from Cycles 2 and 3 can be found below.
Project Advancement and Completion Fund
Cycle Two
Urvashi Pathania — “Skin”
Jane Casey Modderno — “Here for the Weekend”
Jesus Celaya — “Chalino”
Andrew Reid — “Asia A”
Sushma Khadepaun — “Anita”
Hanna Gray Organschi — “Rubber Hut”
Beth de Araújo — “Josephine”
Tij D’oyen — “Lollygag”
Cycle Three
Haley Elizabeth Anderson — “Coyote Boys”
Kate Tsang — “Sprout”
Chheangkea — “Little Phnom Penh”
Alexandra Qin — “Thirstygirl”
Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker — “The Dispute”
Liz Sargent — “Take Me Home”
Sonejuhi Sinha — “Seven Days in Rome”
Courtney Loo — “Bangbang Teahouse”
Ayşe Altınok — “Headlock”
Artist Fellowship
Cycle Two
Sofian Khan — “Karachi Sky”
Huda Razzak — “Home of the Birds”
Rebin Zangana — “Qareen”
Fawzia Mirza — “Heirloom”
Cycle Three
Jessica Kingdon — “Untitled Animal Project”
Maryam Mir — “Sapna (Dream)”
David Fritz Fortune — “SUMMA”