EXCLUSIVE: Ten U.S. filmmakers have been selected for a new program designed to help bridge the gap for women directors between the independent and studio systems. Scroll down for the 2026 cohort.

The mentorship program comes at a time when the Hollywood gender gap remains a problem. Representation for women in the director’s chair dipped to a seven-year low in 2025, according to a recent USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study. The number of girls and women leading the top movies of 2025 also hit a seven-year low.

Backed by camera and video tech company Black Magic Design, the 10-month accelerator called The Studio Ready Initiative sees directors and producers with known film and TV credits mentored by studio executives, show-runners and hiring heads, focusing on the “nuances of big-budget logistics, legalities, and creative management”.

Paul Feig is a creative advisor and mentor on this year’s program. Additional mentors will be revealed later this year. Previous mentors include JJ Abrams, Greg Berlanti, Catherine Hardwicke, Issa Rae, Jason Blum, Amy Pascal, Cassian Elwes, Kevin Feige and Scott Stuber.

Studios to have taken part in the past include Sony, Bad Robot, Greg Berlanti Productions, A24, Disney, Showtime, Lionsgate, NBC/Universal, WarnerMedia, HBO, ABC, Amblin, Blumhouse, Apple, Skydance, Paramount, Lucasfilm, Searchlight, Hallmark, MGM, Amazon, Netflix, Neon, Lucky Chap, Paramount, and Marvel.

“The goal of the Studio Ready Initiative is hire-ability,” said Blackmagic Collective’s Executive Director, Jenn Page. “We aren’t teaching these filmmakers how to make movies; they already know how. They need someone to open the door and allow them an opportunity to put their skills into action. We’re hoping to facilitate that.”

The 2026 Studio Ready Initiative lineup (blurbs provided by Black Magic Design) comprises:

● Erin Lau: UTA-represented Native Hawaiian filmmaker; credits include Fox’s Rescue: HI-Surf and Sundance-supported works.

● Ashley Robinson: Co-Producer (Fear the Walking Dead) and advocate for marginalized voices via the Queer Black Voices Fund.

● Sonja O’Hara: Emmy-nominated writer/director/actor (Doomsday); SXSW panelist; in post production on her third feature Snare, starring Wicked breakout Marissa Bode. O’Hara is repped by Verve and Anonymous Content.

● Lauren White: Award-winning actor/producer; Emmy contender for Amazon’s Partners in Wine. White is repped by Innovative Artists and Media Artists Group.

● Melanie Cunningham: Emmy-nominated producer (Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time); PGA Board of Directors member.

● Lynda Reiss: Veteran filmmaker (Stranger Things, American Beauty); currently in post-production on her debut feature YOYOs.

● Mora Carew: producer/director, formerly at Shondaland; PAFF Programmers’ Award winner and AWD Feature Film Fellow.

● Trudy Sargent: International producer/director for Sony, AMC and Prime Video.

● Tyler Young: Project Involve alum and 2024 NAACP Image Award-nominated producer/director (Gaps).

● Melissa Balint: Director and AWD Board Member with deep episodic shadowing credits (Grey’s Anatomy, Quantum Leap, Legacies).