Genesis House and Gotham name inaugural shorts fellows
Genesis House and Gotham have named Shanice Brette, Annie Ning and April Wen as the inaugural winners of their shorts fellowship, each receiving $10,000 in finishing funds plus mentorship from filmmakers including Sean Wang and Raven Jackson. The New York City-based program pairs emerging directors with industry support at a pivotal stage.
Key Takeaways
- Three NYC filmmakers won the inaugural Genesis House and Gotham Shorts Fellowship with $10,000 each toward finishing narrative shorts.
- Winners are Shanice Brette (“Mumma”), Annie Ning (“The Only Man to Ever Exist”) and April Wen (“A Natural History”).
- Mentors include Sean Wang (“Dìdi”), Raven Jackson (“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt”), Josephine Decker and producer Matthew Gross.
- Fellows also gain Genesis House access, Gotham Week panels and networking with established filmmakers.
- The recipients were celebrated July 22, 2026, at Genesis House in Manhattan.
Who won the Genesis House and Gotham fellowship?
As part of Genesis House and The Gotham Film & Media Institute’s first shorts fellowship, three emerging New York City-based filmmakers were selected. Shanice Brette for “Mumma,” Annie Ning for “The Only Man to Ever Exist,” and April Wen for “A Natural History” each receive a $10,000 stipend earmarked as finishing funds for their narrative shorts.
Beyond the cash award, the fellows get specialized one-on-one mentorship sessions and access to Genesis House programming and events. They also receive industry screenings and panels during Gotham Week, plus networking opportunities with established filmmakers—resources aimed at helping projects cross the finish line.
Why does the Genesis House and Gotham partnership matter?
The program is designed to champion bold, emerging voices at a make-or-break moment in the creative process. Genesis Motor North America’s chief operating officer Tedros Mengiste said the filmmakers “embody the kind of bold creativity and fresh perspective that Genesis House was created to champion,” and that the fellowship supports storytellers while fostering collaboration and new voices.
Gotham Film & Media Institute executive producer Jeffrey Sharp said pairing emerging filmmakers with distinguished mentors provides “additional resources at a pivotal moment in the filmmaking process.” He framed the alliance as a shared push to expand opportunity and elevate distinctive voices in film and media—news that fits our ongoing Streaming & TV Alerts coverage of industry pipelines and talent programs.
Who are mentoring the inaugural fellows?
This year’s mentor roster is stacked with acclaimed independent filmmakers and producing talent. Mentors include “Dìdi” director Sean Wang, “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” director Raven Jackson, “Madeline’s Madeline” director Josephine Decker, and Authentic Brands Group producer Matthew Gross.
That mix of directing and producing guidance is meant to give the three fellows practical feedback as they finish their shorts. According to Variety’s exclusive report, the fellowship recipients were celebrated at a cocktail event on July 22 at Genesis House in Manhattan—marking a formal launch for the inaugural class.
What support do the winners receive beyond funding?
The $10,000 finishing funds are only one piece. Fellows also receive specialized mentorship, Genesis House programming and events access, Gotham Week screenings and panels, and networking with established filmmakers. Together, those perks position the inaugural cohort to complete and circulate their shorts with stronger industry visibility.
For audiences tracking how new talent breaks through—and how brands and institutes back short-form storytelling—the Genesis House and Gotham fellowship is an early signal of a sustained pipeline for NYC-based directors.