This month, we’re celebrating short films and the filmmakers behind them—on screen and beyond. As we head to Sundance this month, this edition highlights funding opportunities, creative resources, and how Kickstarter continues to support a vibrant filmmaking community.
- Taylor K. Shaw-Omachonu, Senior Outreach Lead, Film
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Before the Petals Hit the Ground |
Playwright Lani Gobaleza makes directorial debut with LGBTQIA+ sapphic short film, following two introverts who fall in love. |
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We're Not in Harlem Anymore |
A proof of concept for a feature length pulpy throwback to classic detective stories that inserts Black representation into noir. |
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An animated story of resilience, featuring everyday people keeping a submerged world from falling apart. |
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Two lost souls from different eras become one in this surreal ghost story inspired by the Southwest. |
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A Collective FYC Campaign |
Uniting four Oscar-qualified shorts for award consideration, this campaign celebrates indie storytelling and shared success. |
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A young man navigates ethnic ambiguity, identity expectations, and the pressures of authenticity in the entertainment industry—a deeply personal story that resonates universally. |
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Theresa Loong is an award-winning director who creates film, games and large-scale interactive experiences using emerging technology. She directed NOVA’s Building Stuff: Change It! and produced games for AMC’s The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad. Theresa is directing Game On, a documentary featuring game designer Brenda Romero.
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Jill Sobule: She's Gonna Sing! You're Gonna Listen! |
"I was introduced to Jill Sobule’s music by my friend Ivan Oransky, who is editor-in-chief of The Transmitter. I’m supporting the documentary about Jill Sobule because it’s a timely project about an independent artist - a singer. Jill was proving the power of community-funded art before Kickstarter existed! Jill’s fans helped her make her album 'California Years,' over fifteen years ago! Tom Ropelewski’s documentary about Jill is important as both a portrait of someone who really lived the ethos of the indie spirit and shows how an artist builds a life through persistence, trust, and a fan base that shows up not only for the work, but for the human being behind it."
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We’re heading to Park City. This year, four Kickstarter-backed films are premiering at Sundance, marking an exciting moment for the creators bringing their stories to the screen. |
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Callback: A man's evening takes an unexpected turn when his partner's exciting career news leads to chaos and mayhem in their shared apartment.
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Everybody to Kenmure Street: Glasgow residents abandon their daily routines to gather on Kenmure Street after learning authorities plan to deport their neighbors, sparking an impromptu grassroots movement.
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Radiant Frost: A drifter's life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers a runaway member of a survivalist cult in the back of his van.
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Take Me Home: After their mother's death, an intellectually disabled woman and her estranged sister must learn to communicate in order to care for each other.
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Untold Stories $1.2M Grant
Application Deadline: February 6
A collaboration between AT&T and Tribeca Festival dedicated to connecting creators to opportunity. Beyond funding, this program offers comprehensive mentorship and distribution support.
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2026 Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship
Application Deadline: February 12
The Sundance Institute and Adobe are seeking 10 rising filmmakers, ages 18–25, for their 2026 fellowship program. Submit a one- to 15-minute short that showcases your artistic vision and unique voice as a filmmaker.
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2026 William and Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar
March 6-8 in Palo Alto, CA
Join a cohort of Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers for an intimate gathering at Stanford University. Attendees will explore the technical and creative aspects of media-making.
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Kickstarter, PBC • 228 Park Ave S, PMB 59430
New York, New York 10003-1502, USA |
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