Alliance of Women Directors Announces Exciting 2025 Rising Director Fellowship Class

A New Generation of Storytellers

The Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 Rising Director Fellowship class, a group of seven exceptional women filmmakers poised to make a significant impact on the industry. These rising stars – Mora Carew, Robin Cloud, Lisa Cole, Saray Bravo Guidetti, Dana Nachman, Jenn Shaw, and Allex Tarr – were selected for their compelling narratives and demonstrated potential in the short-form content space.

AWD's mission is to champion women and non-binary directors by providing advocacy, development programs, and mentorship opportunities. This intensive year-long fellowship will further empower these directors as they transition into directing their first narrative feature films.

A Rigorous Selection Process

The selection process involved a thorough review of numerous applications, culminating in interviews with a distinguished panel of AWD Icon Members, Advisory Board Members, and Founder Jennifer Warren. The finalists impressed the panel with their unique visions and commitment to their craft.

"We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional new class of directors," says Kylie Eaton, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors and head of the fellowship program. "These talented individuals bring a wide range of perspectives...essential to the future of storytelling."

Eaton further emphasized the program's focus on providing "the tools and community to amplify their unique contributions to an industry that deeply needs inclusivity and innovation."

Meet the 2025 Fellows

The 2025 class represents a dynamic range of stories and backgrounds:

Mora Carew, a Nigerian-American filmmaker whose award-winning shorts have screened at prestigious festivals, will develop her romantasy feature, Nadia Zarkovna.

Robin Cloud, an artist, director, writer, and comedian, will be working on About Face, a coming-of-age story set in the vibrant Ball culture of Hartford, Connecticut.

Lisa Cole, known for her Oscar-shortlisted film Bienvenidos a Los Angeles, will further develop Filthy, a story inspired by her upbringing.

Saray Bravo Guidetti, a seasoned producer and director, brings her project Us and the Road, a story of love and rebellion set against the backdrop of Bolivian rally racing.

Dana Nachman, a documentary and fiction filmmaker, will be developing Writing For Timothee, a story of a screenwriter's unexpected collaboration with her celebrity crush.

Jenn Shaw, a DGA award-winning director, will work on Lollies, a film about a gymnast navigating the competitive world of Southern cheerleading.

Allex Tarr, a director with a background in digital content creation, will bring her unique vision to Exit Strategy, a meta-narrative about a film director's attempt to control her life.

A Launchpad for Future Success

The fellowship provides these promising filmmakers with educational and networking opportunities, crucial mentorship, and the chance to create a Proof of Concept for their feature projects, culminating in an Industry Screening. The AWD Rising Directors Fellowship aims to launch the careers of these talented individuals and shape the future of filmmaking.