The Concordia Fellowship

The Concordia Fellowship is a bold experiment to reshape the future of storytelling.

The Concordia Fellowship is a signature program designed to launch powerful careers for diverse filmmakers

We engineer unprecedented and strategic opportunities for individuals, and in the process, work to change the face of the film industry. The program spotlights and accelerates BIPOC + other diverse, U.S. documentary filmmakers who demonstrate undeniable talent, significant voice, and a commitment to story driven, premium nonfiction. We believe these filmmaking talents have the capacity to change what is possible. Our work is to make sure they do.

Each Fellow receives a bespoke program of creative development, career advancement, and film project incubation designed to maximize their success. Through The Concordia Fellowship, filmmakers have gone on to see critical and commercial success, often recognized for their groundbreaking projects at the industry’s most prestigious honors such as the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards, and at film festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, and SXSW. In addition, many of the fellows’ films, limited series, and projects have been acquired for release by major distributors including Amazon Studios, HBO, Onyx/Disney, Hulu and more.

Program Function

Each Fellow receives an individualized, three-pronged program that includes creative development, career advancement, and project incubation designed to maximize their success.

Creative Development

Creative development is a tailored and nurturing program of tools, training, resources and support to build strength at the growth edge of the Fellow’s artistic ambition.

Career Advancement

Career advancement is a customized strategy based on the Fellow’s past body of work and future trajectory. Work might include vision and goal setting, needs assessment and gap analysis, ecosystem mapping, introduction to managers / agents, publicists or producers, financial empowerment / revenue optimization strategies, and nomination for further recognition from field-wide awards and lists of distinction.

Film Project Incubation and Development

Film Project Incubation and Development includes creative and executive work with the Fellow from ideation of a new film until the project is fully developed and viable for institutional or industry support. Fellows receive financial support and creative backing for the development of exciting and exclusive nonfiction films or limited series.

Strategic Distinctions

Experience

Fellows are fearless and experienced storytellers poised for further success.

Bespoke

Every journey is different, so each fellowship is designed to support the specific advancement of each fellow.

Ambitious

We work with Fellows to target exactly what they need to accelerate their career. Fellowship targets critical career inflection points for maximum impact.

Embedded

Fellows leverage the executive, production and finance capabilities of a working studio.

Catalytic

We partner with Fellows for creative development at the earliest stages of ideation, strategy and storytelling.

Symbiotic

The benefit is mutual. Concordia Fellows help increase our knowledge capital in creative development of independent filmmakers.

Program Activities

The Fellowship hosts group programs for all Fellows and alum including labs, masterclasses, retreats, and industry meetings.

MasterClasses

MasterClasses allow Fellows to connect with veteran and visionary filmmakers and field leaders to learn first-hand from their perspective and experience in the creative industry. Through curated and moderated sessions, Invited Guests illuminate and inspire by sharing about their work extemporaneously. The most important aspect of the MasterClasses is the curiosity of the Fellows and the candor and insight of the speaker. Conversation topics and structure are up to the discretion of the speaker. MasterClasses have been led by Roger Ross Williams, Frederick Wiseman, Davis Guggenheim, Pete Nicks, Marina Zenovich, Ted Hope, Tabitha Jackson, Grace Lee, Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine and many others.

Story Kitchen

Story Kitchen (Lab) is a residential 3-5 day week where Fellows participate in deeper workshop sessions focused on either the art, craft, or business of nonfiction films and series. Creative Advisors lead sessions on creativity (directing, navigating creative relationships, visual voice). Fellows may share work for rough cut discussion and feedback. Labs allow focus on thematic strands such as “The Series” or “Hybrids & Fiction Adaptation” or “The Art of the Deal”. Advisors have included Joan Sheckel, Joan Darling, Jean Tsien, Miriam Cutler, Fernanda Rossi, Gordon Quinn and many others.

The Fellowship Retreat

The Fellowship Retreat provides Fellows with time and space to focus on renewal of their creative resources. At The Fellowship, sustainability in film field now includes the resilience and replenishment of the spirit. Special sessions such as Mental Health and Wellness in the film industry or Sacred Storytelling are designed to recognize and restore the internal tools required to do the work. Activities include immersion in our creative community, small groups and pairs, bonfire pits, nature walks, and breaking bread. The Fellowship Retreat provides a unifying journey that deepens ties to the Fellowship Program, Concordia Studio and to one another as Fellows and Filmmakers. Fellowship Retreats focus on renewal of the individual, of the work, and of the creative community.

Industry Meetings

Concordia Fellowship Industry Meetings are private, invitation only conversations where candor and collegiality characterize the conversation. These meetings allow Fellows and industry executives to gain familiarity, discuss content, consider commercial trends, ask questions and build bridges. Industry meetings are conducted by private zoom and have been held with Netflix, Hulu, HBO, A24, ONYX, NYT, Disney+ as well as with publicists, festival programmers, advertising companies, and managers/reps.

Candidate Sourcing

Concordia Fellows are sourced through a five-pronged approach including private nomination, regional scouts, experienced film reviewers, festival programmer allies, and robust staff field work. Nominators are industry leaders from prominent organizations with a field wide and forward-looking vantage point. They serve anonymously and help discover talent that aligns with Concordia’s vision.

Eligibility Criteria