The Sundance Institute has named 10 emerging filmmakers as the inaugural class of the 2026 Ignite x Adobe Fellowship, a yearlong program designed to accelerate the careers of storytellers ages 18–25. The cohort kicks off its training this week at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts, where fellows will receive $5,000 artist grants and a complimentary year of Adobe Creative Cloud software. The program, now in its twelfth year, has launched the careers of past alumni including Sundance award winners and Academy Award nominees.
Selected from over 1,100 global applicants, this year’s fellows represent diverse cultural backgrounds and storytelling approaches, from speculative nonfiction to experimental filmmaking. Their work will be further developed through monthly webinars and an in-person gathering at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado. The fellowship expands access to creative tools and industry connections for early-career artists, according to Toby Brooks, Director of Sundance Institute Ignite.
“Every filmmaker deserves the chance to bring their vision to life,” said Amy White, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Adobe. “Over 15 years as partners, we’ve seen firsthand how critical support is in helping creators move from concept to screen.” The program is supported by Adobe’s Film and TV Fund and the Arison Arts Foundation.
Why This Fellowship Matters: A Track Record of Success
Since its founding in 2015, the Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship has had 19 alumni projects selected for the Sundance Film Festival, with several winning major awards. Past fellows include:
- Giselle Bonilla, whose film The Musical premiered in the 2026 U.S. Dramatic Competition
- Sean Wang, winner of the 2024 Audience Award for his feature Dìdi
- Charlotte Regan, whose debut Scrapper won the 2023 World Cinema Grand Jury Prize
- Olivia Peace, a 2022 Student Academy Award winner for Against Reality
Former fellows have also won prizes at SXSW, Tribeca, and Cannes, including the Short Film Palme d’Or. The program has expanded this year to include a new short film fund for alumni, providing direct financial support for projects moving from development to production.
Meet the 2026 Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellows
The 2026 cohort brings together filmmakers from Nigeria, Poland, Brazil, India, Korea, Puerto Rico, and the United States, each exploring distinct themes through their work:
- Simisolaoluwa Akande (Nigerian-British): A multiaward-winning filmmaker whose speculative nonfiction challenges narratives around African identity and memory. Her work is grounded in queer African epistemologies.
- Aicha Cherif (New York City): A documentary filmmaker whose work examines emotional architectures and belonging. Her film Heat screened in Film Forum’s Tenement Stories retrospective, where she was the youngest director.
- Blake Knecht (Las Vegas): Explores landscapes as evolving narratives, tracing relationships between land, labor, and movement. She holds an MFA in documentary media from Northwestern University.
- Franciszek Korolczuk (Poland): A student filmmaker blending narrative and documentary realism. His debut short Princeska premiered at the Brussels Short Film Festival.
- Haneol Lee (Korean-American): Examines 1.5 generation identity and diaspora through contemplative storytelling. His work has screened at BFI, Palm Springs Shortfest, and True/False.
- Josiah Mendoza (O’ahu, Hawai’i): A documentarian exploring memory and familial dynamics. His films have played at Hawai’i International Film Festival and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
- Muskaan Razdan (London): An Indian filmmaker and poet whose work appears in Berlin Lit and Magma. She received the Roundhouse Film Fund for her short Salt.
- Mia Lima Rocha (Rio de Janeiro): A Brazilian filmmaker whose women-centered stories blend discomfort comedy with occasional musical numbers. Her latest film, TAG, explores childhood sexuality.
- Yace Sula: An experimental filmmaker whose work has screened at the New York Film Festival, Fantasia, and Ann Arbor. They were named to Filmmaker magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” in 2025.
- Japhet E. Velázquez (LA/Puerto Rico): A horror filmmaker and AFI Directing program graduate who began his career making shorts in San Antonio.
How the Fellowship Works: Structure and Support
The yearlong program begins with the Ignite Lab at MASS MoCA from June 14–19, where fellows engage in creative workshops and networking. Following the lab, participants join monthly webinars focused on professional development, including pitching, distribution, and funding strategies. The cohort will reconvene in person during the 2027 Sundance Film Festival for a curated program in Boulder, Colorado.
In addition to the $5,000 grant and Adobe Creative Cloud access, fellows gain entry into Sundance’s global community of mentors and alumni. The program emphasizes both creative and professional growth, providing tools to help artists navigate the challenges of early-career filmmaking.
What Happens Next: Tracking the Fellows’ Progress
While the 2026 cohort is still in its early stages, past fellows have demonstrated the program’s impact. For example, Charlotte Regan’s Scrapper not only premiered at Sundance but also won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize and later opened the 2023 Sundance Film Festival: London. Similarly, Sean Wang’s Dìdi earned the 2024 Audience Award for U.S. Dramatic.
Fellows will have opportunities to develop their projects further through Sundance’s additional labs, including Directors, Screenwriters, and Episodic programs. The newly expanded short film fund will also provide direct financial support for alumni projects moving from concept to screen.
Key Takeaways: Why This Program Stands Out
- Global Reach: The 2026 cohort represents filmmakers from six countries, reflecting the program’s commitment to diversity and international perspectives.
- Industry Connections: Fellows gain access to Sundance’s extensive network, including mentorship from established filmmakers and industry professionals.
- Financial Support: The $5,000 grant and Adobe Creative Cloud subscription provide critical resources for early-career artists.
- Festival Exposure: Past alumni have screened at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and Cannes, with several winning major awards.
- Long-Term Growth: The program’s structure—from the Ignite Lab to the Sundance Film Festival—ensures ongoing development and community support.
The Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship continues to set a standard for supporting emerging talent in film. As the 2026 cohort begins its journey, their work will contribute to the Institute’s legacy of fostering bold, independent storytelling.
For updates on the fellows’ progress and future opportunities, follow the Sundance Institute and Adobe on social media.
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