Last month, MPI launched its highly anticipated Mentorship Program, marking an important step forward in its commitment to supporting the next generation of filmmakers. This new initiative pairs up-and-coming talent—many of them recent MPI interns—with experienced professionals, giving mentees a rare chance to gain valuable industry insight. The program helps participants refine their vision, set actionable goals, and stay true to their values as they navigate the entertainment industry. The aim is to foster meaningful relationships that offer both guidance and practical support as these filmmakers advance in their careers.

This year’s mentors include renowned MPI filmmakers Austin and Meredith Bragg, known as The Bragg Brothers, who directed Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, earning a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and recognition as one of the top ten films of 2023 by Richard Brody of The New Yorker; MPI filmmaker and Academy Nicholl Fellow Daniel Hanna, director of the award-winning Miss Virginia; Oscar-nominated documentarian Elizabeth Mirzaei; Millennium Media vice president of development and production Tanner Mobley; Kristi Kendall, director of Undivide Us, president of Kristi Kendall and Co., and MPI board member; and MPI’s own Nicole Roewe, director of talent and creative development, and senior vice president Lana Link, a member of the Producers Guild of America.

Mentees selected for the inaugural class are Grace Brady, a former MPI Hollywood Career Launch Program (HCLP) intern who also participated in the Academy’s Gold Rising program and worked on MPI film sets as a production assistant and second assistant director; Ryan Caldwell, a 2024 Documentary Storytelling Workshop grant winner and owner of the production company Ballistic Boy; Hannah Caruana, a film production graduate from Indiana and LA-based creative producer; Bradford Downs, an independent film producer, actor, and musician, and a former MPI intern who completed an advanced internship at Millennium Media; Trevor Klein, a film director whose first documentary, Days Before the Dawn, screened at eight film festivals, winning seven awards; Matthew Middendorf, a former MPI intern who also took part in MPI’s Rising Executive Summit and Producing Seminar; and Taryn Sells, a filmmaker who was selected as the Academy Gold Rising intern of her MPI HCLP class.

To kick off the program, MPI hosted its first-ever Mentorship Summit in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, nestled in Southern California. The retreat brought together participants and their advisors for a unique blend of professional development, outdoor activities, and plenty of bonding time. Dedicated sessions allowed pairs to have in-depth conversations, reflect on their experiences, exchange advice, and discuss individual goals.

One participant reflected on the summit, highlighting the great people and high-quality activities. An advisor shared that the summit was invaluable for fostering meaningful relationships and encouraging open dialogue.

Following the summit, the MPI Mentorship Program will shift to a virtual format, with mentees and their mentors connecting at least once a month over Zoom or in person. MPI will also provide a new book each month—focused on the film industry or pro-freedom ideas—that they can use as a discussion point during their conversations.