Disney’s “Launchpad,” the anthology series of American independent short films will return for its third season. Submissions for the new season are now open through June 2.
“Launchpad” first started in 2021, and is a 12-month program that cultivates emerging filmmakers. Members in the program work closely with Disney creative executives to make live-action shorts to possibly premiere on Disney+. Filmmakers will also be mentored and have the opportunity to engage in a training program that teaches collaboration.
“‘Launchpad’ gave me the opportunity to really stretch myself as a director—working on stunts and collaborating with Industrial Light and Magic (Ilm) on my visual effects is something I could have only dreamed of doing before,” said Erica Eng, director of “The Ghost.” “The program works hard to set us up for success even after the program has ended, and I’m really thankful for their support as a filmmaker.”
Season 2 of “Launchpad” was released on Sept.
“Launchpad” first started in 2021, and is a 12-month program that cultivates emerging filmmakers. Members in the program work closely with Disney creative executives to make live-action shorts to possibly premiere on Disney+. Filmmakers will also be mentored and have the opportunity to engage in a training program that teaches collaboration.
“‘Launchpad’ gave me the opportunity to really stretch myself as a director—working on stunts and collaborating with Industrial Light and Magic (Ilm) on my visual effects is something I could have only dreamed of doing before,” said Erica Eng, director of “The Ghost.” “The program works hard to set us up for success even after the program has ended, and I’m really thankful for their support as a filmmaker.”
Season 2 of “Launchpad” was released on Sept.
- 5/2/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance Institute and Disney have selected the first cohort for their Muslim Artist Fellowship.
Each of the four filmmakers will receive an unrestricted $15,000 grant as they participate in a year-round professional development program that will include personalized support, networking and community-building opportunities in service of their respective goals and projects.
“Our partnership with The Walt Disney Co. will help further opportunities to uplift Muslim artists and their narratives,” said Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Sundance Institute director of Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance Programs, in a statement. “Supporting these artists through a bespoke fellowship will not only elevate Muslim representation but also bring more visibility to their stories.”
The fellowship is part of the Disney Future Storytellers initiative, which also includes investments in Ghetto Film School and Chicas en Tecnología, as well as scholarships with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund, Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars and the American Indian College Fund,...
Each of the four filmmakers will receive an unrestricted $15,000 grant as they participate in a year-round professional development program that will include personalized support, networking and community-building opportunities in service of their respective goals and projects.
“Our partnership with The Walt Disney Co. will help further opportunities to uplift Muslim artists and their narratives,” said Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Sundance Institute director of Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance Programs, in a statement. “Supporting these artists through a bespoke fellowship will not only elevate Muslim representation but also bring more visibility to their stories.”
The fellowship is part of the Disney Future Storytellers initiative, which also includes investments in Ghetto Film School and Chicas en Tecnología, as well as scholarships with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund, Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars and the American Indian College Fund,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film Independent has unveiled the three filmmakers who will participate in its inaugural Imaginar Producers Residency, first announced in November.
“The Imaginar Producers Residency is an innovative and holistic program that provides Latinx producers tailored support with the goal to help achieve long-term sustainability,” Film Independent director of artist development Angela C. Lee said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to launch this program with these three immensely talented artists.”
The program, made possible by Disney and its subsidiary Searchlight Pictures and in collaboration with the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, will provide each fellow with a $50,000 unrestricted grant, professional coaching from Renee Freedman & Co. and financial and business coaching from The Jill James, as well as support from Disney and Searchlight executives on how to make the leap from independent producing to packaging projects for studios.
“Our goal with this initiative is to build community...
“The Imaginar Producers Residency is an innovative and holistic program that provides Latinx producers tailored support with the goal to help achieve long-term sustainability,” Film Independent director of artist development Angela C. Lee said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to launch this program with these three immensely talented artists.”
The program, made possible by Disney and its subsidiary Searchlight Pictures and in collaboration with the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, will provide each fellow with a $50,000 unrestricted grant, professional coaching from Renee Freedman & Co. and financial and business coaching from The Jill James, as well as support from Disney and Searchlight executives on how to make the leap from independent producing to packaging projects for studios.
“Our goal with this initiative is to build community...
- 3/21/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For the inaugural season of Disney’s “Launchpad” shorts incubator, the studio centered on the theme, “Discover,” encouraging audiences broaden their worldview through their short films.
But another word that could describe this first group of films and the filmmakers who crafted them over the last 19 months is “Perseverance.”
When Aqsa Altaf, Stefanie Abel Horowitz, Ann Marie Pace, Moxie Peng, Jessica Mendez Siqueiros and Hao Zheng got the call that they’d been selected to become the first class of filmmakers in Dec. 2019, no one expected they’d have to overcome a five-month production delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It has taken us almost three years to get to this point,” Mahin Ibrahim, director of Disney’s diversity & inclusion, market, who oversees the “Launchpad” program, tells Variety.
The drive to continue on came down to the simple fact that the mission — spotlighting underrepresented stories and storytellers in the marketplace...
But another word that could describe this first group of films and the filmmakers who crafted them over the last 19 months is “Perseverance.”
When Aqsa Altaf, Stefanie Abel Horowitz, Ann Marie Pace, Moxie Peng, Jessica Mendez Siqueiros and Hao Zheng got the call that they’d been selected to become the first class of filmmakers in Dec. 2019, no one expected they’d have to overcome a five-month production delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It has taken us almost three years to get to this point,” Mahin Ibrahim, director of Disney’s diversity & inclusion, market, who oversees the “Launchpad” program, tells Variety.
The drive to continue on came down to the simple fact that the mission — spotlighting underrepresented stories and storytellers in the marketplace...
- 5/28/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s Launchpad, a new filmmaking program dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices, has unveiled the trailer for six original short films coming to Disney Plus.
All six short films, each centering on the theme of “discover,” will launch on Disney Plus on May 28. The program’s inaugural year features stories by Ann Marie Pace, Aqsa Altaf, Hao Zheng, Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Moxie Peng and Stefanie Abel Horowitz.
“As a first-generation Muslim Bangladeshi woman, I know how important it is for communities to see themselves on screen, and to empower emerging filmmakers,” said Mahin Ibrahim, director of Disney’s diversity and inclusion, market, who oversees the Launchpad program. “Our goal with the Disney Launchpad Shorts Incubator is to tell six deeply meaningful personal stories straight from the filmmakers’ heart, amplified with the scale and reach that only Disney has.”
Disney plans to continue its Launchpad program, with the theme of “connection” to anchor the second season.
All six short films, each centering on the theme of “discover,” will launch on Disney Plus on May 28. The program’s inaugural year features stories by Ann Marie Pace, Aqsa Altaf, Hao Zheng, Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Moxie Peng and Stefanie Abel Horowitz.
“As a first-generation Muslim Bangladeshi woman, I know how important it is for communities to see themselves on screen, and to empower emerging filmmakers,” said Mahin Ibrahim, director of Disney’s diversity and inclusion, market, who oversees the Launchpad program. “Our goal with the Disney Launchpad Shorts Incubator is to tell six deeply meaningful personal stories straight from the filmmakers’ heart, amplified with the scale and reach that only Disney has.”
Disney plans to continue its Launchpad program, with the theme of “connection” to anchor the second season.
- 4/14/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: As diversity becomes more of a staple rather than a trend in Hollywood, Disney is stepping up to the plate to amplify underrepresented voices with the inaugural Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator program. Filmmakers Aqsa Altaf, Stefanie Abel Horowitz, Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Ann Marie Pace, Moxie Peng and Hao Zheng were revealed as this year’s participants.
Launchpad is an immersive program in where the aforementioned six directors, who represent diverse perspectives, will produce original, live-action short films. They will have the opportunity to be considered for an exhibition on Disney+ and possible further development. The program also includes professional and storytelling classes led primarily by the program’s educational partner, the American Film Institute.
“We are so excited to work with these six wonderful and talented directors who have so much to say to the world and have such beautiful ways of saying it,” said Mahin Ibrahim, Director, Diversity & Inclusion,...
Launchpad is an immersive program in where the aforementioned six directors, who represent diverse perspectives, will produce original, live-action short films. They will have the opportunity to be considered for an exhibition on Disney+ and possible further development. The program also includes professional and storytelling classes led primarily by the program’s educational partner, the American Film Institute.
“We are so excited to work with these six wonderful and talented directors who have so much to say to the world and have such beautiful ways of saying it,” said Mahin Ibrahim, Director, Diversity & Inclusion,...
- 7/30/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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