New Voices Filmmaker Grant
An ongoing initiative in partnership with Netflix to support emerging directors with $25,000 in funding to create new work – in addition to mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities!
NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, supported by Netflix, supports emerging directors telling LGBTQ+ stories by providing funding to make new work, assisting in getting their work more widely shared, and propelling their careers forward through mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities 🎬
The Grant seeks to support underrepresented voices in the film industry, and provides a $25,000 unrestricted grant to 4 emerging directors.
In addition to the $25,000 grant and industry mentorship, fellows will also participate in events and have their work showcased at NewFest’s New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, one of the largest queer film festivals in the world. Fellows will also have the opportunity to travel as guests of NewFest to other North American film festivals.
Submissions are accepted from emerging directors who make documentary/nonfiction, narrative, and/or animated film/episodic projects for and about the LGBTQ+ community.
2025 Grantees
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The 2025 recipients of the New Voices Filmmaker Grant are MG Evangelista, Shuli Huang, Farah Jabir, and Kevin Xian Ming Yu.
2024 Grantees
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The 2024 recipients of the New Voices Filmmaker Grant are Apa Agbayani, Angalis Field, Clementine Narcisse, and cai thomas.
2023 Grantees
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The 2023 recipients of the New Voices Filmmaker Grant are Terrance Daye, Drew de Pinto, Emily May Jampel, and LaQuan Lewis.
2022 Grantees
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The four recipients of the 2022 New Voices Filmmaker Grant were Blanche Akonchong, Livia Huang, Rodney Llaverías, and Nyala Moon.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New Voices Filmmaker Grant is presented by
“By empowering the next generation of filmmakers, NewFest and Netflix will work to amplify queer films and support authentic stories that showcase the talent of emerging storytellers”
– David Hatkoff, NewFest Executive Director