NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) is proud to present the sixth year of NewNarratives, a content program built to identify emerging global artists by tapping into NFMLA’s community and extensive pool of artistic talent. The NewNarratives initiative advances, funds and amplifies unique, innovative creators whose narratives, stories, and characters transcend borders and dismantle convention. The 2026 edition has been made possible thanks to the support from the Rhulen Family Foundation in honor of the late independent film producer Anthony Rhulen, alongside partners Absurd AI and Athens Services.
NewNarratives seeks to discover original, authentic work with a strong point of view and identify compelling storytelling that speaks to contemporary themes in innovative and resonant ways. Free from any set parameters on theme and genre, episodic or feature film concepts that push convention are at the program’s core.
NewNarratives will award $35,000 USD in cash grants during the 2026 cycle across three distinct funding opportunities designed to support projects at various stages of development and production.
The main NewNarratives Grant category will award four (4) grants of $5,000 USD each to support emerging filmmakers developing short films, feature films, or episodic series (fiction, documentary, live-action, animation, or experimental) at any stage of the creative process. Eligible projects may be in concept development, early development, pre-production, production, post-production, or audience strategy and distribution planning.
Supported by Athens Services, this category will award one (1) grant of $5,000 USD to a short film (fiction, documentary, live-action, animation, or experimental) currently in post-production that meaningfully explores themes of climate, environmental sustainability, conservation, or humanity’s relationship with the natural world. This grant celebrates filmmakers using the power of storytelling to inspire greater awareness, dialogue, and action around the environmental challenges shaping our communities and our future.
Supported by Absurd, this category will award one (1) $10,000 USD grant to an emerging filmmaker developing a short or feature film, across fiction, live action, animation, or experimental work, at any stage of production. The grant will be accompanied by a three-month fellowship supporting the awarded artist as they explore using Absurd’s AI storytelling tools as a way to reimagine what independent filmmaking can look like with AI. Absurd will begin onboarding beta users on August 3, 2026.
Program applications will open up to members of NFMLA on July 21st, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 18th, 2026. For additional information and to enter a project, please visit www.NFMLA.org/NewNarratives.
