MPI’s Rising Filmmaker Program supported 76 freedom-minded filmmakers in 2021. These talented creatives participated in workshops led by award-winning industry professionals; developed freedom-oriented calling card films in our documentary and short film labs; and completed internships at production companies and on the sets of MPI Originals. 

Below are just some of the highlights of this year’s program.

• MPI’s Hollywood Career Launch Program provided internships to 25 aspiring, young filmmakers who worked on the sets of MPI Original Films and at industry studios including BRON Studios (Joker, The Way Back), Millennium Entertainment (The Expendables, Olympus Has Fallen), and Bold Films (Drive, Vox Lux). Thanks to MPI’s partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for the fourth year in a row select MPI interns were also able to participate in Academy Gold Rising, the Academy’s summer internship enhancement and mentorship program. 

• MPI’s Short Film Creative Development and Production Lab received 171 applications and accepted thirteen filmmakers with the best pro-freedom scripts. These filmmakers had the opportunity to revise and strengthen their film concepts in the MPI Screenwriting Workshops. Eight were then selected to participate in MPI’s Directing Workshop, helping prepare them for the demands of production. And in October, MPI announced filmmaker Calvin Tran as the official selection from the Short Film Lab. MPI is now working with Calvin to refine his short film script and transition to the directing phase where he will cast his vision for principal photography.
• The MPI Moving Picturecraft workshop instructed fifteen filmmakers in the art of cinematography with hands-on training from industry experts on topics such as how lighting, camera, and lens technologies can best achieve artistic intentions.
• The MPI Mindful Editor workshop provided training to twelve filmmakers on the vital skills of editing. They were introduced to cutting-edge editing software (DaVinci Resolve) and enjoyed professional instruction from award-winning editors.
• The MPI Documentary Development and Production Lab provided a comprehensive program for filmmakers where they received hands-on training and mentoring to take their initial film concepts through the process of developing, producing, and releasing a documentary film. Thirteen filmmakers refined their projects in the MPI Documentary Storytelling Workshop, led by MPI filmmaker Laura Waters Hinson (Dog Days, Mama Rwanda).

As we approach 2022, MPI looks forward to providing new opportunities to the next class of pro-freedom filmmakers. To learn more about MPI’s filmmaker opportunities and apply, visit here.