EXCLUSIVE: Emmy-nominated Baby Reindeer breakout has teamed with Level Ground, producer and independent distributor of the Emmy-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted feature doc Union, to launch a fellowship supporting a cohort of trans and queer filmmakers and filmmakers of color in creating their next short films.

Through a series of film salons, 1:1 mentorship, a stipend, and fiscal sponsorship, the fellowship explores new models of making and sharing work with emerging filmmakers motivated by innovation and creative risk.

17 fellows were selected through nomination by a panel of advisors to participate in the inaugural film fellowship. They are Andy James Garcia, April Maxey, Avrielle Gallagher, Cedric Tai, Chica Barbosa, Emory Chao Johnson, Evelyn Angelica Martinez, Gerardo Maravilla, Hansen Bursic, Helen Peña, J.D. Shields, Nicole Mairose Dizon, Paolo Riveros, Rraine Hanson, Sion-Raize, Taegen Meyer, and Yemi Seyi.

Level Ground Co-Director Samantha Curley told us, “Producing and distributing UNION taught me so much about how the industry works behind the scenes. We designed this fellowship with Nava to specifically address the gatekeeping and barriers to industry access that many underrepresented filmmakers face, especially early in their careers. We are proud to be building a robust ecosystem that will allow artists to thrive and work more equitably, and in community.”

Previously collaborating with Level Ground on the projects all the words but the one, which she wrote, directed, and starred in, and feature doc Survivor Made, Mau said, “Time and time again, I am faced with the reality that the film and television industry can be a site of isolation and systemic disempowerment for artists of color, queer and trans creatives, and anyone who doesn’t fit a very specific mold determined by the dominant class. This fellowship is an exploration and an experiment to see what happens when we plant seeds outside the studio system and beyond the mainstream.”

Mau & Level Ground’s fellowship is supported by Shane King Zackery and launches this month. Films supported by the program will be part of a showcase presented to the public in 2027.