The Golden Globe Foundation is proud to support Film Independent’s Project Involve, a groundbreaking fellowship program that has championed equity and inclusion in film for 31 years—providing mentorship, hands-on production experience, and community to emerging filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. Since 2009, Project Involve has produced an impressive body of short films, and this summer it reached a major milestone with its 100th production.
Celebrating 100 Productions
In June 2025, Fellows began filming Pack, marking the program’s 100th short. To commemorate this achievement, Film Independent staff members Francisco Velasquez and Joenique Rose visited the set on the very first day, with Rose hosting a live Instagram session to give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the milestone moment.
By July, the 2025 Fellows wrapped production on the year’s full slate of shorts, with each film entering post-production. Test screenings began in August, showcasing the creativity and collaboration of this dynamic cohort.
Adding to the excitement, Project Involve Fellow Bushra Burney was awarded the $25,000 Climate Entertainment Commissioning Grant, supported by Plot Shift Media. Burney will use the grant to develop a new climate-focused fiction feature script, creating pathways for more stories at the intersection of art and environmental urgency.
Beyond the Set: Residencies and Salons
This summer also saw the launch of the Imaginar Producers Residency, which kicked off at Film Independent’s headquarters before moving to the Disney lot. Fellows Jesus Garcia, Diego Nájera, and Daniel Tantalean connected with industry leaders at Searchlight Pictures, Hulu, Disney Publishing, and more, while receiving mentorship in areas from finance to rights management.
Additionally, the 2025 Sloan Salon: Storytelling in the Age of Climate: Big Screen, Real Stakes explored how climate issues can be woven into compelling, character-driven narratives. Moderated by executive producer Wendy Calhoun (Empire), the panel inspired Fellows to approach pressing global issues with nuance and creativity.
Success Stories
Project Involve continues to build bridges for emerging voices, with Fellows and alumni making headlines across the industry:
- Netflix acquired Left-Handed Girl, a Fast Track 2011 project by Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou.
- The 2024 Documentary Story Lab project Natchez won Best Documentary Feature and two Special Jury Mentions at Tribeca Film Festival.
- Joyce Liu-Countryman, a 2023 Project Involve and Los Angeles Media Fund Fellow, was invited to join the Academy’s Short Film branch.
- Project Involve Fellow Ante Cheng earned an Emmy nomination for his work on Pachinko.
- Sloan grantees Ryan Zacarias and Jenny Halper premiered films If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (produced by Ryan Zacaria) and Eleanor the Great (produced by Jenny Halper) at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
- Hikari, a Project Involve alum, will screen her film Rental Family at TIFF and receive the Emerging Talent Award.
- Contessa Gayles, a 2021 Amplifier Fellow, saw her project Songs From the Hole acquired by Netflix, where it is now streaming.
Over the years, Project Involve has consistently produced award-winning short films that have resonated with audiences worldwide. Acclaimed works like Dear Mama… (2023 NAACP Image Award Winner), Blackout (2022 NAACP Image Award Nominee), and Black Boy Joy (2020 NAACP Image Award Winner, now streaming on HBO) exemplify the program’s reach and cultural impact. Other celebrated shorts include Lonely Blue Night (2020 AFI Fest Audience Award), Liberty (winner at SXSW, Berlin International Film Festival, and AFI), and Emergency (recognized at Sundance and SXSW). These films not only highlight the creative excellence of Project Involve Fellows but also underscore the program’s role as a launchpad for vital new voices in cinema.
Talents Emerged from Project Involve
With more than 800 alumni, Project Involve has become a cornerstone of opportunity in the film industry, launching the careers of visionary storytellers who continue to shape contemporary cinema. Distinguished Fellows include Andrew Ahn (Bridgerton), Linda Yvette Chavez (Flamin’ Hot), Jon M. Chu (Wicked), LaToya Morgan (Splinter), Justin Simien (Haunted Mansion), and Lulu Wang (Expats).
“Now, more than ever, it’s so important that we support stories told by and about communities that are marginalized.”
– Andrew Ahn, Project Involve Fellow
The program has also brought Fellows into conversation with mentors and guest speakers such as Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Destin Daniel Cretton, Reed Morano, and Christine Vachon — filmmakers whose projects have reached wide audiences and earned critical acclaim. Together, they exemplify how Project Involve builds lasting connections between emerging filmmakers and the established creative community, ensuring that underrepresented voices continue to thrive on the global stage.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 Fellows continue their journey through October, the Golden Globe Foundation is honored to celebrate their achievements and support a program that has now produced 100 short films. This milestone underscores the power of mentorship, community, and creative opportunity in shaping the future of cinema.
We congratulate all the Fellows, alumni, and Film Independent staff who make Project Involve possible, and we look forward to seeing the next 100 productions inspire audiences worldwide.
Learn more: Film Independent Project Involve
