Emerging Filmmaker Mentorship Program
The 2024 EFMP application is now closed.
Read the official 2024 cohort announcement
The Media Center Emerging Filmmaker Mentorship Program will provide creative project support and funding to undergraduate Barnard filmmakers as they produce their own short film. The goal of this program is to offer resources to populations traditionally marginalized in media production settings, including women and nonbinary filmmakers, people of color, and those with financial limitations.
If you have any questions regarding the program, please email us at mediacenter@barnard.edu.
If accepted into the program, students will be granted funding for their film and one-on-one mentorship to support the production and post-production logistics of their projects.
The program is seeking ambitious, visionary Barnard students who have an idea for a film, and the drive to get it made. Our goal is to offer resources to populations traditionally marginalized in media production settings, including people of color and those with financial limitations.
*We no longer support short documentary projects.
Program resources include:
- Assistance with the creative process from pre-production to post-production
- Personalized mentorship through one-on-one meetings
- Three workshops on screenwriting, lookbook aesthetics, script breakdowns, shot lists, schedules, planning, and budgeting throughout the semester
- One-on-one support for script feedback and logistics planning
- Technical training on advanced production equipment and editing programs
- Funds as needed-- Each selected project will receive production funds.
Participants will exit the program with practical work skills in filmmaking and a completed short film that they can submit to film festivals, add to their reels, and apply to graduate film programs.
Applicants can apply as individuals or as small creative teams, and must meet the following requirements:
- Barnard undergraduate student (Freshman are discouraged from applying)
- Currently enrolled (Graduating seniors are eligible)
- Have a strong idea and a finished script for a short film
- Have a need for support in order to realize their vision
- November 2023 - Applications open
- January 26, 2024: efmp info session
- February 2, 2024: application deadline
- February 7-14, 2024: second round interviews
- February 16, 2024: selected mentees announced
- February-May 2024: mentees will participate in a series of workshops to revise their scripts and learn the ins and outs of running a production, as well as directorial skillsets
- June - July 2024: mentees will film their shorts
- Summer 2024 & Fall 2024: mentees will be in post-production and produce a final cut of their films by January 2025
Application submissions will close on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:59PM ET.
Past EFMP Projects
AFTERMATH By Chessy Prout
A family reeling from recent trauma go on vacation to relax and regroup.
AFTERMATH premiered at the 2023 Athena Film Festival and went on to screen at the Montclair Film Festival as well as the Georgetown Day School Summit on Sexual Assault and Consent, and will be showing at the University Prep Student Organized Consent Conference in Seattle in 2024.
Year of Completion: 2023 Run time: 11 minutes
Bone Structure by Bella Pechatey
Bone Structure is a dark comedy about a high school girl, Eda, with a dogged determination for teen rhinoplasty. Lacking the funds and the know-how to fully realize this goal, she recruits her odd younger sister, whose anatomical and video game-informed pastimes quickly drives their experiments to ridiculous levels.
Year of Completion: 2023 Run time: 9 minutes
January 6th By Nadira Danticat
A young Black woman must process her failed suicide attempt as the white liberal residents of her gentrified NYC neighborhood react to the January 6th Capitol riots that occur that same morning. January 6th premiered at the 2023 Athena Film Festival, and had its online premiere on the streaming platform NoBudge in May 2023. It was also selected as a finalist for the Film Independent x Hieronyvision 30x30 Contest and has screened at the All Streer Gallery in New York City.
Year of completion: 2023 Run time: 11 minutes
Women in Flux By Syeda Anjum
Women in Flux is about a young Desi-American woman who struggles to admit her own sexuality after reconnecting with her high school bestie. This story explores the tensions of friendship, especially when one friend has changed drastically after years of being apart. This story also explores what it means to be in the in-between of discovering yourself.
Year of completion: 2022 Run time: 11 minutes
The Mirror Next Door By Clio Yang
Based on true stories and news reports, "The Mirror Next Door" turns the spotlight on social media copycat and stalking behaviors through the eyes of two young black women. The Mirror Next door was the official selection of North America International UniFilm Festival 2022. The majority of cast and crew are Barnard-affiliated and/or women of color.
Year of Completion: 2022 Runtime: 7 minutes
In Vivo By Lucy Shauman
In Vivo is a speculative-fiction short film that follows two half-sisters connected through an anonymous sperm donor as they confront their notions of family and identity.
Year of completion: 2022 Run time: 12 minutes
Poisonberries By Hannah Ahn
A young girl tries to save her dog from her larger-than-life fears, but everyday life may be more dangerous in the age of the school lockdown.
Year of Completion: 2019 Run time: 9 minutes