Film Independent Project Involve Fellowship

Overview

Project Involve is Film Independent's signature diversity program, running since 1993. Each year, the program selects 30 emerging filmmakers from communities underrepresented in the film industry and provides them with mentorship, master classes, short film production experience, and industry access over a 10-month period in Los Angeles. The program is free to participate in, though Film Independent Membership is required ($105/year for live-action tracks, $190/2-year for LAIKA animation tracks).

The 2027 cohort application window opens May 18, 2026. The non-member deadline is July 13, 2026. The Film Independent Member extended deadline is July 27, 2026. Applicants are notified by December 2026. The program runs from January 2027 through October/November 2027.

Project Involve has supported over 1,000 fellows in its 30-year history. Alumni include Andrew Ahn (The Wedding Banquet, Fire Island), Lulu Wang (The Farewell, Expats), Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, Wicked), Justin Simien (Dear White People, Haunted Mansion), Effie T. Brown (The Inspection), and Jomo Fray (cinematographer on Nickel Boys). KD Davila, a 2017 fellow, was nominated for an Academy Award for directing the short film Please Hold and nominated for a Spirit Award for writing the feature Emergency, which expanded from her Project Involve short.

What It Covers

Core Program (Live-Action Tracks)

• Free participation in the 10-month fellowship program (January through October/November 2027)
• Mentorship from working industry professionals, paired one-on-one with each fellow
• 10+ master workshops with filmmakers, writers, producers, and executives covering craft and business
• Short film production: Fellows are grouped into production teams to create short films from inception to completion. Scripts are written during the program around a shared theme (the 2027 writing prompt is "awestruck"). Previously written scripts cannot be submitted.
• First Look Screening: Completed short films debut at a special screening event
• Film Independent Membership and access to Spirit Awards, screenings, and networking events
• In-person program: Sessions run evenings (typically 7:00-10:00 PM PT, some starting at 6:00 PM) with occasional weekend sessions. Approximately 10-12 hours per week.

LAIKA Animation Track (Two-Year Program)

A two-year stop-motion animation program in partnership with LAIKA studios. Six tracks run across both years: director/lead animator, supporting animator, producer, editor (all two-year), plus writer (year one) and cinematographer (year two). For the 2027 cohort, only the Cinematography track is open for applications.

LAIKA fellows receive:

• A production grant to create a 3-minute stop-motion animated film during the two-year program
• A cash stipend in recognition of the two-year commitment
• All core program benefits

Named Fellowships and Cash Grants

Selected fellows may receive additional donor-named fellowships, each including a $10,000 unrestricted cash grant:

• Amazon Studios Film Fellowship
• Sony Pictures Entertainment Fellowship
• Participant Fellowship
• Los Angeles Media Fund Fellowship
• Cayton-Goldrich Family Foundation Fellowship

The Panavision Fellowship provides an outstanding cinematographer in the program with a camera rental package valued at $60,000 for use on a future project produced in the US.

Short Film Funding

Teams typically raise $30,000 to $35,000 for their short film project. Each team/project receives a small stipend from Film Independent. Additional funding varies year to year based on program sponsorship. Fundraising is a group effort across the team.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply

Applications are open to writers, directors, writer/directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, film programmers, animators, and those working toward executive roles. Strong consideration is given to applicants whose work samples and statements demonstrate talent, responsibility, and collaborative effort.

Key requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age on or before September 1, 2026
• Must be from communities underrepresented in the film industry, including but not limited to people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities
• Must be based in or able to relocate to the Los Angeles area for the full duration of the program (in-person, no Zoom option)
• Must have some prior filmmaking experience or education but should not yet be an established professional
• Work samples must have been completed after January 1, 2019 (within the last 7 years)
• Must become a Film Independent Member if selected ($105/year for live-action, $190/2-year for LAIKA)

Application Restrictions

• No teams accepted. Applicants must be the sole writer/director/etc.
• Can apply to multiple tracks, but each requires a separate application and fee
• Can only participate in Project Involve once. Alumni cannot reapply to a different track
• Previously written scripts cannot be submitted for the short film program. Scripts are written during the program.

Track-Specific Requirements

Director: Two fictional narrative work samples where you served as sole director. No reels, music videos, verticals, or commercials.

Writer/Director: Two fictional narrative work samples as sole writer/director (no co-written or co-directed pieces). Three writing samples: one long (feature screenplay or pilot), one short (10 pages or less), and one original short script (3-5 pages) based on the 2027 prompt "awestruck."

Writer: Two writing samples (one long, one short) plus an original short script (3-5 pages) based on the 2027 prompt "awestruck."

Cinematographer/Editor/Producer: Two work samples in your role. At least one must be fictional narrative. Editors must be sole editor (no AE or co-editors). Producers must be the producer (no more than three producers in credits for shorts; no co-producer or associate producer titles).

Creative Executive: Film critique (of a film released January 1, 2025 to June 5, 2026) and executive mission statement.

Festival Programmer: Film critique and festival program proposal (including at least 8 films).

LAIKA Cinematography (2027 open track): Two work samples, at least one fictional narrative as cinematographer. At least one must be stop-motion animation. No reels, verticals, or clips.

How to Apply

1. Choose your track: Review the track-specific requirements on the Film Independent website. Download the application sample and essay criteria PDF.
2. Prepare materials: Bio, cover letter, resume (max 2 pages), work samples (full projects, not segments or first 15 minutes), and track-specific written materials. Do not submit streamer links (Netflix, Amazon, etc.). Work must be accessible without downloading an app or paywall.
3. Submit application: Apply through the Film Independent website. Applications open May 18, 2026.
4. Deadlines: Non-member deadline is July 13, 2026. Film Independent Member extended deadline is July 27, 2026.
5. Notification: Applicants are informed no later than December 2026.

There is no application fee for the program itself, but if you apply to multiple tracks, each track requires a separate application. If selected, you must become a Film Independent Member ($105/year).

Notable Alumni and Career Outcomes

Project Involve alumni have gone on to direct features, write for television, and hold leadership positions at studios and production companies. Specific outcomes:

• Lulu Wang (2014 fellow): Directed The Farewell (2019, A24), which grossed over $23 million worldwide. Created and directed Expats (Amazon). Her Project Involve short film Touch explored themes she later developed in The Farewell.
• Jon M. Chu: Directed Crazy Rich Asians (2018), In the Heights (2021), and Wicked (2024). His films have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide.
• Andrew Ahn: Directed Fire Island (2022, Searchlight) and The Wedding Banquet (2025).
• Justin Simien: Created Dear White People (film 2014, Netflix series 2017-2021). Directed Haunted Mansion (2023, Disney).
• KD Davila (2017 fellow): Nominated for an Academy Award for directing Please Hold (2022 short). Nominated for a Spirit Award for writing Emergency (2022 feature, Amazon Prime), which expanded from her Project Involve short. The feature screened opening night at Sundance 2022.
• Carolina Costa (2014 fellow): Cinematographer who went to Cannes with Las Elegidas within a year of completing the program.
• Jomo Fray: Cinematographer on Nickel Boys (2024), directed by RaMell Ross. Also lensed Selah and the Spades (2020, Sundance).

The Ebert Foundation has supported Project Involve through the Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, and the Chaz and Roger Ebert Truer Than Fiction Award ($25,000 grant) is presented at the Spirit Awards. See the Ebert Foundation listing for details.

Who Should Apply

Emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities who are based in or can relocate to Los Angeles and who want intensive mentorship, production experience, and professional connections. The program is designed for filmmakers who have foundational skills and are ready to take the next step in their careers. If you already have an established career or significant feature credits, this program is not for you.

The time commitment is substantial: 10-12 hours per week in the evening, plus additional time for writing, producing, or post-production work depending on your track. You can maintain a full-time job if it accommodates evening sessions, but the program is in-person only with no virtual option.

If you are an animator interested in stop-motion, the LAIKA track offers a rare two-year production opportunity with a cash stipend. For the 2027 cohort, only the Cinematography track within LAIKA is open.

See Also

For independent filmmaking career guidance, see Independent Filmmaking. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. For information on the Ebert Foundation's support for this program, see Ebert Foundation Director Awards and Grants. For another diversity-focused program, see Film Fatales Programs and Grants. To plan your short film budget, use the Production Budget Calculator.