Program Overview
Indeed, Hillman Grad and 271 Films are thrilled to announce the fifth season of the Rising Voices program. The initiative aims to discover, invest in, and share stories created by BIPOC filmmakers & storytellers around the power and meaning of work. This program awards 10 filmmakers up to a $100K production budget to make a short film, which will premiere at a major US film festival.
How it works: Our advisory team will identify 10 filmmakers who will be selected to participate in Rising Voices. A production budget up to $100,000 will be allocated to produce their stories, and each filmmaker will have access to mentorship and support from the advisory panel through creative mentors from Hillman Grad and from 271 Films. The films will be produced by Hillman Grad in partnership with 271 Films.
Rising Voices is a career accelerator and filmmaking mentorship program and we’re looking for candidates who are interested in advancing their career opportunities through mentorship and education. Candidates should demonstrate a strong passion for filmmaking, strong desire to learn and ability to collaborate, take instruction and accept feedback. Candidates must portray sustainable and ethical working practices.
Filmmaker Support: Following the conclusion of the program, Indeed will invest in marketing and distribution support for the finished films, along with a debut at a major US film festival.
Theme: The Future of Work. When you read “the future of work,” what does that mean to you? Do you think of an egalitarian ideal, a dystopian nightmare, or something in between? What direction is our world headed towards when it comes to work? Who gets to decide what the future is going to be? As time passes, how does “work” play a role in your life? In our lives? Explore how work is a mirror to the human experience. Explore your personal connection with work and show us what “the future of work” means to you. How would the future of work impact your relationships with your family, friends, co-workers, community, or yourself?
Timeline: Filmmakers must be available December 2024 - June 2025 to participate in the program.
Rising Voices is subject to the following application materials:
You must submit a complete and accurate application through the Hillman Grad website prior to the application deadline. All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 27, 2024 to be considered.
The application will include:
Note: The screenplay does not have to be written by the applicant. If the script has been co-written or written by someone other than the applicant, the writer must sign a release, which is submitted upon acceptance into the program.
Note: As this program is intended to identify emerging talent, we are unable to consider applicants who are already members of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) or Writers Guild of America (WGA)
To review the Terms and Conditions of the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab, refer to the submission form.
If you have questions about withdrawal, please contact us at mentorship@hillmangrad.com for more details.
The Mentorship Lab will begin in April 2025.
Applicants will be notified via email at the end of March regarding the status of their application.
Applicants may only apply for one track.
Writing teams are not eligible for consideration. Writing samples must be written and owned solely by the applicant.
All applicants must submit short answer questions and will complete an interview if selected as a semi-finalist. Applicants for the television writing track will be required to submit a writing sample of an original television pilot. Applicants for the acting track will be required to submit two contrasting contemporary scenes or monologues from film, television, or theatre (90-seconds max each). Executive Development applicants will submit a resume and complete coverage on two scripts provided within the application.
Applicants are not required to live in the Greater Los Angeles Area to participate in the Mentorship Lab. All classes will be offered virtually with the exception of three in-person workshops. Travel accommodations will be provided for mentees living outside of the Greater Los Angeles area.
There is no obligation for you to participate in the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab.
A maximum of eight (8) applicants will be accepted into the television writing track and a maximum of ten (10) applicants will be accepted into the acting track. A maximum of four (4) applicants will be accepted into the executive development track.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and not a minor in the state or country of your residence at time of submission.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 9th for consideration.
