2024 Sundance Women to Watch x Adobe Fellows Announced in the US
The Sundance Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Park City, Utah, announced the eight recipients of the 2024 Sundance Women to Watch x Adobe Fellowship on July 10, 2024. This yearlong program aims to support and sustain the creative practices of women artists, with a particular focus on filmmakers from historically underrepresented communities. The initiative, launched in 2020, is part of Sundance and Adobe’s shared commitment to championing underrepresented voices at critical moments in their careers.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Adobe to provide meaningful support for women artists creating groundbreaking work in film,” said Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Director of Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance. “The Sundance Women to Watch x Adobe Fellowship offers a comprehensive approach, including a sustainability-focused cash grant, professional and tactical skills development, networking, and opportunities. By addressing systemic barriers women encounter in the industry, we aim to empower these visionary artists. We deeply appreciate Adobe’s commitment and look forward to guiding these women on their creative journeys.”
The selected fellows receive a $6,250 cash grant, participate in workshops, and gain referrals for career development opportunities. They also receive a yearlong complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud, access to the Sundance ELEVATE professional development track, and the Sundance Collab digital platform, which fosters a global filmmaking community.
The fellows are chosen jointly by Sundance and Adobe from the Institute’s community of supported artists across various program disciplines, including the Feature Film Program, Documentary Film Program, Episodic Program, Indigenous Program, and Artist Accelerator Program. Adobe, a significant supporter of Sundance, is also a Presenting Sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival and the Founding Supporter of Sundance Ignite, a program for filmmakers aged 18–25.
The 2024 fellows are:
- Francesca Canepa (Peru, Mexico City): Her short film "The Silence of the River" premiered at Berlinale 2020. Her feature "La Otra Orilla" was selected for the 2024 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.
- Artemis Fannin (USA): A producer amplifying marginalized voices, currently the Managing Producer with 371 Productions.
- Kristine Gerolaga (USA): A Filipina American filmmaker and actor, she is developing her horror feature "Lamok" as a 2024 Sundance Screenwriters Lab fellow.
- Sylvia Khoury (USA): A filmmaker and playwright, she is developing her feature script "I’m Heather" as a 2024 Sundance Directors and Screenwriters Lab fellow.
- Jane Casey Modderno (USA): Known for writing "The Birch" and "The Girl in the Woods," she was a 2024 Sundance Directors and Screenwriters Lab fellow.
- Gabriella García Pardo (USA): A nonfiction director and producer, her works include "La Bonga" and "The Bardia."
- Jolene Pinder (USA): A documentary producer and academic, she has led the New Orleans Film Society and teaches at Tulane University.
- Jana Schmieding (USA): A Lakota actor, writer, and producer, she is developing the multicam "Bonnie" for CBS and her feature film "Auntie Chuck."
Recent highlights for previous fellows include:
- Deidre Backs produced "Fancy Dance," which premiered at Sundance 2023 and was acquired by Apple.
- Gabriela Ortega is seeking financing for "Huella" and starred in "Border Hopper" at Sundance 2024.
- Keisha Rae Witherspoon is a 2024 Sundance Directors and Screenwriters Labs fellow.
- Aisha Bhoori is adapting Huma Abedin’s memoir "Both/And" into a limited series.
- Cris Gris directed episodes of the Max series "Ugly."
- Laura Moss premiered "birth/rebirth" at Sundance 2023.
- Dionne Edwards is releasing her debut "Pretty Red Dress" this summer.
- Iliana Sosa premiered her documentary "What We Leave Behind" at SXSW 2022.
- Milisuthando Bongela premiered "Milisuthando" at Sundance 2023.
The Women at Sundance program is supported by Adobe, The David and Lura Lovell Foundation, Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, The Harnisch Foundation, NBCUniversal, and others.