MPI has wrapped production on Silenced Voices in Toronto, Canada, an anthology of four MPI Original shorts developed through the recent Short Film Lab and produced in this Production Lab. Each film explores the fight for free speech in today’s digital landscape, following individuals navigating increasing pressure on expression. Read more about each film here.

Longtime MPI filmmaker Toby Fell-Holden was among the directors, shooting his short Negative Space as part of the anthology. Reflecting on the experience, he said: “I’ve wanted to tell this story for years, but when I tried to get it financed, it was turned down. MPI saw what it was trying to do and made it possible: taking on competing values without simplifying them, and making a case for the pursuit of truth and what that costs for students, professors, institutions, and society.”

Director Monica Cecilia Lucas, whose film You’ve Got Matches was selected as the 2025 Short Film Lab winner, also spoke about her experience: “As an early-career filmmaker, working with MPI has given me a leg up I could only have dreamed of. This isn’t just a one-time lab or fellowship; it’s a long-term investment in filmmakers. The opportunities, education, and community made it possible to go from abstract hopes of becoming a filmmaker to stepping onto a set with a 40-person crew, ready to bring my vision to life.”

To support the filmmakers, MPI brought in veteran television director and producer David Barrett as a mentor. With more than 500 credits across film and television, including series Tracker, Blue Bloods, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, and Without a Trace, he offered hands-on guidance throughout production. Toby emphasized Barrett’s impact: “He helped me stay clear on what I wanted the film to say and supported me on set, from performances to camera work. That support gave me the confidence to ask for what I needed and to navigate a project where the stakes were high.”

Four interns also worked on set, including two returning from previous MPI productions who stepped into associate producer and producer shadow roles. Reflecting on that experience, associate producer Grace Brady shared: “MPI’s programs and on-set experiences have been instrumental in my growth as a filmmaker. Support like this is rare—people who invest in you as an artist and care about your long-term path. The belief and mentorship I’ve received have made a lasting difference.”Do you want to have your short produced? Join our filmmaker network here and learn about upcoming opportunities.