CPH:FORUM Hears Pitch For 'Queens Ballroom' By Hansen Lin, Siyi Chen The CPH:FORUM heard a pitch for 'Queens Ballroom,' a documentary about Asian American immigrants in the U.S., directed by Hansen Lin and Siyi Chen.

Thrilled to see #FiFellow Hansen Lin pitch the 2025 Documentary Producing Lab supported project 'Queens Ballroom' at the prestigious CPH:FORUM! #FilmIndependent

Read more about the project: deadline.com/2026/03/quee...

#FiFellow News! 2014 Fast Track alum Brett Haley is directing the '13 Going on 30' reboot for #Netflix after the success of 'People we Meet on Vacation'. 👏

Read more: deadline.com/2026/03/13-g...

The Academy Announces Its 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowship Recipients The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowship recipients, who submitted applications via The Black List.

So proud to see #FiFellow David Rafailedes ('25 Fiction Producing Lab) named a Nicholl Fellow for his script 'Satoshi'!
www.indiewire.com/news/general...

Applications to the 2026 #FilmIndependent Fiction Producing Lab are OPEN! Apply by MAY 4. Learn more: bit.ly/FiProdLab

Davis Guggenheim’s Concordia Studio Sets Roster of 2026 Filmmaker Fellows The fellows are Elizabeth Ai, Sue Ding, Julian Brave NoiseCat and Alejandra Vasquez, filmmakers singled out based on their “creative drive, cultural ambition and proven ability to tell stories that…

#FiFellow news! Two 2020 CNN Docuseries Intensive Fellows - Elizabeth Ai ('10 Project Involve, '10 Producing Lab, '16 Fast Track, '17 Documentary Lab) and Alejandra Vasquez - will receive the 2026 Concordia Fellowship. 👏

Read more: www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

Film Independent Fellow HIKARI smiling and posing with Film Independent Project Involve's Francisco Velasquez and Joenique C. Rose.

Film Independent Fellow HIKARI talking to the 2026 Project Involve cohort.

Film Independent Fellow HIKARI posing with the 2026 Film Independent Project Involve cohort.

Thank you to #FiFellow HIKARI for visiting the 2026 Project Involve cohort!

HIKARI ('Beef', 'Tokyo Vice') is an alum of the Directing Lab, Fast Track & Screenwriting Lab. Most recently, she wrote/directed/produced the film 'Rental Family', starring Brendan Fraser.

Meghan Markle & Prince Harry 'Cookie Queens' Acquired by Roadside Attractions Roadside Attractions has acquired U.S. rights to Cookie Queens, the documentary executive produced by the Duchess and Duke of Sussex.

#FiFellow update! Following its Sundance premiere, 'Cookie Queens', directed and produced by Alysa Nahmias and shot by Antonio Cisneros, has been picked up by Roadside Attractions for a summer theatrical release: deadline.com/2026/03/megh...

Grace Van Patten To Star In Indie Rubber Hut From Hanna Gray Organschi Grace Van Patten is set to star in 'Rubber Hut,' a Sundance Labs-supported film from Hanna Gray Organschi that'll shoot this summer.

Exciting #FiFellow news! 'Rubber Hut' is a 2024 Fast Track project written and directed by Hanna Gray Organschi, produced by Elizabeth Woodward and Tara Sheffer & executive produced by Jason Michael Berman.

Learn more: deadline.com/2026/03/grac...

Hikari To Direct Apple Original Films’ Holiday Feature ‘Foster The Snowman’ Apple Original Films Sets Hikari To Direct 'Foster the Snowman'

Can't wait #FiFellow Hikari's new project, 'Foster the Snowman'! Hikari is an alum of our Directing Lab, Fast Track & Screenwriting Lab programs.

deadline.com/2026/02/appl...

Filmmaker Chloé Zhao (L) and actress / moderator Regina King attend the Film Independent Presents An Evening With...Chloé Zhao event at the DGA Theater Complex on February 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Film Independent )

Actress / moderator Regina King (L) and filmmaker Chloé Zhao attend the Film Independent Presents An Evening With...Chloé Zhao event at the DGA Theater Complex on February 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Film Independent )

Actress / moderator Regina King (L) and filmmaker Chloé Zhao attend the Film Independent Presents An Evening With...Chloé Zhao event at the DGA Theater Complex on February 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Film Independent )

Filmmaker Chloé Zhao attends the Film Independent Presents An Evening With...Chloé Zhao event at the DGA Theater Complex on February 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Film Independent )

An unforgettable #FiPresents Evening With… two legends. Chloé Zhao sat down with Regina King to reflect on her extraordinary career. 🎞️✨

Chloé is a #FiFellow, and we’re proud to have followed her journey from her first feature ‘Songs My Brothers Taught Me’ to her newest film ‘Hamnet’.

#Filmmakers, “Don’t wait for anyone to give permission, just make the thing.” Cherien Dabis (‘All That’s Left of You’), is a #FiFellow (Directing Lab & Fast Track ’05), and a Best International Film Nominee at the 2026 #SpiritAwards.

Learn more about our programs: bit.ly/FiArtistDevelopment

Collage of headshots of the 2026 Film Independent Amplifier Fellows: Thanh Tran, Akil Rashad Anderson, Claire Brooks, A Sayeeda Moreno, Philip Thompson, Aurora Brachman (Photos by Lupe Angulo, Joshua Joel Ortiz, Lee Jameson, Frances Guevara, Jesse Muro, Lee Jameson)

📣 Announcing the 6 talented filmmakers selected for our fifth Amplifier Fellowship! Each #FiFellow receives a $30k grant, and support for their project on both the creative and entrepreneurial sides. Thank you to @Netflix for partnering with us.

💫 Learn more: www.thewrap.com/creative-con...

Chloé is a #FiFellow, and we were proud to support her debut feature in our Fast Track Finance Market.

Guest Post: Embrace Your Journey with Episodic Fellow Van Nguyen - Film Independent We asked 2020 Episodic Lab Fellow Van Nguyen to share her experience in the Film Independent Episodic Lab developing her series project Descent, about a

⏰ Writers, apps for the Episodic Lab close this MON, FEB 16! Hear from past #FiFellow Van Nguyen about her time in the Lab developing her project 'Descent'.

Join as a #FiMember & apply: www.filmindependent.org/blog/guest-p...

Lulu Wang is our Honorary Chair for the 2026 #SpiritAwards! 🎉 A longtime member of the Film Independent family, Wang is a 2014 Project Involve #FiFellow & 2019 Spirit Awards Winner (‘The Farewell’).

Celebrate with us on Sunday! 💫 LIVE on YouTube at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET.

Learn more: bit.ly/4rNIvmP

Promotional graphic for Film Independent Episodic Lab, showing the Member Deadline on February 16, set against a purple background.

⏰ 5 DAYS LEFT! #FiMembers can apply to the Episodic Lab until MON, FEB 16!

Join & apply: bit.ly/3LY1a08

Writers, this is your chance to boost your career with one-on-one guidance and pitch to studio and network execs. Plus, one #FiFellow will receive the $20k Sloan grant!

Film Independent Artist Development - Film Independent Episodic Lab 2026 Before You Begin: Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Episodic Lab. The 2026 Episodic Lab is a full-time, two-week program that will take place in Los Angeles in August 2026. The…

DUE TONIGHT! Writers, apply to the Episodic Lab to take your episodic project to the next level. 🚀 Learn both the creative and business sides of episodic storytelling, and pitch your project to studio and network execs. Plus, one #FiFellow will receive a $20k grant!

🚨 Apply NOW: bit.ly/3LY1a08

Film Independent Artist Development - Film Independent Episodic Lab 2026 Before You Begin: Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Episodic Lab. The 2026 Episodic Lab is a full-time, two-week program that will take place in Los Angeles in August 2026. The…

🚨 3 DAYS LEFT to apply to the Episodic Lab! If you’re a writer with an original long-form episodic project, this is your chance to receive expert mentorship and critical support.

Plus, one lucky #FiFellow will be awarded the $20K Sloan grant!

👉 Apply here by MON, FEB 2: bit.ly/3LY1a08

Writers Guild Awards Nominations: ‘Sinners,’ ‘Marty Supreme’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Among the Nominees 'Sinners, 'Marty Supreme' and 'One Battle After Another' are among the 2026 Writers Guild Awards nominees.

More incredible news for #FiFellow Chloé Zhao (Screenwriting Lab '11)! Zhao is a 2026 #WGA Awards nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay for 'Hamnet'. 👏
variety.com/2026/film/ne...

Episodic Lab - Film Independent Designed to support writers with original long-form episodic projects, Film Independent’s Episodic Lab will accept a diverse group of 6–8 writers or

🚨 UPCOMING DEADLINE! Apps for the #FilmIndependent Episodic Lab are due MON, FEB 2.

👉 Writers with original long-form episodic projects, apply now for personalized feedback from industry experts: bit.ly/EpisodicLab

Plus, one #FiFellow will be awarded the $20k Sloan grant!

Chloé Zhao Becomes Only Second Female Filmmaker Nominated Twice for Best Director 'Hamnet' director Chloe Zhao, who previously won for directing 'Nomadland,' now joins an Oscar club that previously only included Jane Campion.

So proud of #FiFellow Chloé Zhao (Screenwriting Lab ‘11), who has received two #Oscar nominations for ‘Hamnet’: Best Director Adapted Screenplay! 👏

#Oscars2026 #FilmIndependent

www.indiewire.com/awards/resul...

Congrats to the ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ team!

Kaouther Ben Hania is a 2024 #SpiritAwards winner, & exec producer Elizabeth Woodward is a #FiFellow (2024 Fast Track)! #Oscars2026

DGA Awards Nominees: Ryan Coogler and Chloe Zhao Make History, Josh Safdie Makes the Cut and Foreign Directors Shut Out The DGA nominees have been announced which include Ryan Coogler, Paul Thomas Anderson and Chloe Zhao.

Congrats to #FiFellow Chloé Zhao on the DGA Awards nomination for #Hamnet! Zhao participated in the 2011 Film Independent Screenwriting Lab.
variety.com/2026/film/aw...

Family reunion with #FiPresents. Watch our 'Rental Family' Q&A with #FiFellow HIKARI, director/writer/producer, #SpiritAwards-winning producers Eddie Vaisman and Julia Lebedev, moderated by Francisco Velasquez (Associate Director, Project Involve)! 🫂❤️

Watch now: youtu.be/rn7fOl4wHK4

Episodic Lab - Film Independent Designed to support writers with original long-form episodic projects, Film Independent’s Episodic Lab will accept a diverse group of 6–8 writers or

✨ Ready to take your episodic project to the next level? Apply to the Film Independent Episodic Lab for one-on-one guidance on both the creative and business sides of episodic storytelling. Plus, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will award one #FiFellow a $20k grant!

👉 Learn more:

The Black List 2025: Matisse Haddad’s ‘Best Seller’ Leads List Of Hollywood’s Best-Liked Unproduced Screenplays The 2025 Black List was announced on Tuesday morning, with 'Best Seller' by Matisse Haddad topping the list of Hollywood's best-liked screenplays.

Congrats to #FiFellow Allison Lee on making the Black List with her script 'Oh Yoko!'. 👏 Lee participated in Project Involve in 2012 and the 2017 Screenwriting Lab.
deadline.com/2025/12/the-...

📹 #FiPresents caught ‘Predators’ with director David Osit and moderator Christy Lemire (Film Critic, Breakfast All Day). Proud to screen this #FiFellow doc from Fast Track alum, Osit and Producer Kellen Quinn!

📸: Olivia Wong/Getty Images

Family reunion with #FiPresents. We had the best time with #FiFellow HIKARI of ‘Rental Family’, #SpiritAwards-winning producers Eddie Vaisman and Julia Lebedev, & moderator Francisco Velasquez (Associate Director, Project Involve, Film Independent)! 🫂❤️

📸: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

#FiFellow Amanda Erickson is screening her new film ‘She Cried That Day’ on Sun, Nov 23 at LA Skins Fest! The film went through Film Independent’s 2023 Documentary Lab. 💫

Buy tickets here: laskinsfest.com/event/she-cr...

In 2024, #FiFellow Suzannah Herbert went through our Documentary Story Lab, an experience that helped shape her upcoming documentary ‘Natchez’ exploring the antebellum tourist capital, Natchez, Mississippi.

Read our interview with Herbert #ontheblog: bit.ly/3LtW4YW

✍️: John Squire

‘A Different World’ Sequel Picked Up to Series at Netflix The "A Different World" sequel series has officially been greenlit at Netflix, Variety has learned.

2016 Screenwriting Lab #FiFellow Felicia Pride is the writer, executive producer and showrunner of 'A Different World'.

Look out for it on @Netflix.com! Learn more: