2025 has been a landmark year for MPI. Alongside celebrating our twentieth anniversary with a gala in Los Angeles, we released the MPI Original sci-fi thriller Motherland and wrapped principal photography on our largest and most ambitious feature to date, One Second After. MPI short films received awards and nominations at festivals nationwide with Grind; Pocket Change; The Dying Business; The Art of Inflation; and Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up honored for their direction and storytelling. And through our Rising Filmmaker Program (RFP), we supported 83 filmmakers, expanding our community of creatives united by their commitment to advancing the principles of liberty.

As we reflect on this year’s achievements, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your continued partnership in advancing the cause of freedom through film. Your support has been instrumental in making these victories possible. Will you consider making a tax-deductible year-end gift to help MPI produce powerful, culture-shaping films that inspire change and develop the next generation of pro-freedom filmmakers? Together, we’ll build on this momentum in 2026.

This year marked MPI’s twentieth anniversary, commemorated in October with a weekend of events in Los Angeles that brought together our filmmakers and supporters. The milestone honored two decades of achievement—empowering more than 750 freedom-minded filmmakers and producing over 30 films—and celebrated the growing community that continues to carry MPI’s vision forward. 

Visit thempi.org/20thanniversary to watch a series of videos showcasing how MPI empowers pro-freedom filmmakers, produces high-quality films, and expands its reach through the RFP and bold, large-scale MPI Original films.

Motherland premiered in September in both the US and the UK. Alongside its US theatrical run, the film became widely available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Fandango at Home. Set in a society where the state “relieves” parents of the burden of raising their children, the film explores the false promise of freedom and equality that comes at the cost of humanity’s most fundamental bonds. 

Motherland has built strong momentum within the film community, having screened at 14 festivals, earned 21 nominations, and won 12 awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Director. The film has continued to resonate with audiences and critics alike. The New York Times recently featured Motherland in its roundup, “Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now,” describing it as a work that “could spur spirited discussions among viewers about maternal instincts, improving opportunities for women and how to best raise children.”

MPI Original Films finished shooting our most logistically complex feature to date, One Second After, a gripping survival drama adapted from the New York Times bestseller by William R. Forstchen. Set in a small town struggling to survive after an electromagnetic pulse attack wipes out all modern technology, the story raises timely questions about resilience, community, and personal responsibility. 

The film was directed by award-winning stunt coordinator and director Scott Rogers (Tron: Ares, John Wick: Chapter 4, The Bourne Ultimatum). The star-studded cast includes Josh Holloway (Yellowstone, Lost), Hannah John-Kamen (Thunderbolts*), Famke Janssen (X-Men), and Academy Award-nominated Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves).

Freedom Hair and Kemba continue to make a meaningful difference. Freedom Hair built momentum in efforts to advance reforms that removed licensing requirements for hair braiders in multiple states. Kemba brought national attention to sentencing issues and contributed to two major outcomes: Michelle West receiving clemency and Kemba Smith Pradia receiving a full pardon.

Watch Freedom Hair on Starz, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play, and stream Kemba on BET+. You can also bring these films to your community for a private or public event—learn more about hosting a screening.

MPI’s Rising Filmmaker Program (RFP) continues to train and grow a strong network of pro-freedom filmmakers—supporting 83 filmmakers and welcoming 25 new creatives into MPI’s network. In 2025, MPI hosted workshops led by award-winning industry professionals, providing training and mentorship across every stage of production. Ten MPI filmmakers also worked alongside veteran professionals on the set of One Second After, gaining hands-on experience in a fully immersive environment. This year, we also launched MPI’s Mentorship Program; returned to the Sundance Film Festival for the Advanced Filmmaker Summit; hosted a summit for 30 filmmakers during MPI’s 20th Anniversary Celebration; held the Rising Executive Summit and Producer’s Playbook; and formalized the First Feature Lab, expanding our support for filmmakers preparing to take the next major step in their careers.

We also selected the 2025 Short Film Lab winner, longtime MPI filmmaker Monica Cecilia Lucas. Learn more about Monica and her project here, and sign up for our filmmaker newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, workshops, and talent development opportunities.

In 2025, five MPI Original short films began their festival journeys—Grind; Pocket Change; The Dying Business; The Art of Inflation; and Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up—earning recognition across top festivals. Each was developed through MPI’s Short Film Lab or Documentary Storytelling Workshop and produced within the MPI Production Lab. Notably, four of these films were featured at Indy Shorts—an Oscar-qualifying festival—in a first-ever special block dedicated to the MPI Short Film Lab and the Production Lab.

Kickstart your career in 2026! MPI is now accepting applications for the 2026 Short Film Lab. This comprehensive program provides filmmakers with hands-on training and mentoring to take their initial film concepts through the process of developing a producible short film script. Filmmakers accepted into the program receive fellowship grants; participate in screenwriting workshops followed by directing workshops; and compete for a $10,000 grant, script acquisition, and the opportunity to produce their project as an MPI Original film.

This year’s theme is A Republic, If You Can Keep It: Reflecting on America’s 250th. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we invite filmmakers to explore the fragile heartbeat of a democratic republic: the ongoing struggle to balance individual rights with the duties to sustain a free society. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. (PT) on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

To find out more or to apply, click here. 

support mpi’s work

Thank you for being part of this year’s journey. We look forward to updating you on new developments and ongoing work as we enter 2026. To make a tax-deductible year-end gift to support MPI’s strategic efforts advancing freedom through film, please click the button below.