What is the significance of the 2025 Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship? Who are the selected filmmakers for this year’s fellowship? What qualities did Concordia Studio emphasize when selecting the fellows? How does the fellowship aim to support diverse storytellers and regional voices in documentaries? What notable projects have previous fellows worked on? Can you highlight the contributions of each 2025 fellow in documentary filmmaking?
Concordia Studio has selected four filmmakers for its 2025 Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship, a prestigious artist development program cultivated within the independent film and television production studio co-founded by Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim.
The fellows, selected on the basis of “excellence in craft, collaboration, and cinematic exploration of unknown worlds,” are Contessa Gayles, Jason M. Harper, Mohammed Naqvi, and Jennifer Tiexiera. Read more about the filmmakers below.
“At a time of rapid and dramatic changes in our film ecosystem, one thing has remained consistent; the bright light of creative imagination of filmmakers like these,” commented Rahdi Taylor, EVP of The Concordia Fellowship. “That’s why we believe that now more than ever, creative, strategic, financial and convening support can help visionary filmmakers chart their course to the future.”
Fellowship candidates are eligible for consideration by direct invitation and private nomination only, Concordia Studio notes. “Nominators for the 2025 Fellowship class included industry veterans from CAAM and True/False Film Festival, representing the program’s commitment to diverse storytellers and regional voices in documentaries.”
Current Documentary Filmmaker Fellows include Rita Baghdad (Sirens, My Country No More); Edward R. Buckles Jr. (Katrina Babies); Jarrod Cann (Good White People); Lindsey Dryden (The Callers, Lost and Sound); Twiggy Pucci Garçon (MnM); Tracy Jarrett (Victim/Suspect, The Fire That Took Her), and Cinque Northern (Angola Do You Hear Us?).
Concordia Studio’s latest project is Deaf President Now!, co-directed by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film will debut on Apple TV+ on May 16.
2025 FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
CONTESSA GAYLES
Contessa Gayles is an award-winning filmmaker who tells stories about identity, healing, Black liberation and the radical imagination. Her feature documentary-visual album, Songs From the Hole (2024, SXSW) won the Audience Award at SXSW. The film earned an IDA Award Nomination and won the 2025 Cinema Eye Honors Heterodox Award. The Debutantes premiered in documentary competition at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and her short Founder Girls (2023, Tribeca) broadcast on BET. Formerly a journalist at CNN, she directed and produced award-winning non-fiction including the feature documentary, The Feminist on Cellblock Y. She has been supported by Impact Partners, IDA, Sundance Institute, Film Independent, Firelight Media, Chicken & Egg Films, Queen Collective, SFFILM, BAVC, Open Society Foundations and many others. She is a 2025 Concordia Fellow.
JASON HARPER
Jason (J.M.) Harper is an editor and director who uses his creative voice to bend the worlds and blend the genres of art, film, and hip hop across documentary shorts, features, and series. He made his directorial debut with As We Speak (2024, Sundance, Paramount+), which artfully explores the use of rap lyrics in criminal trials. His critically acclaimed editing credits include the Emmy-nominated Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022, Sundance, Netflix), A Kid From Coney Island (2019, Netflix) and Down a Dark Stairwell (2020, PBS, Criterion Channel), as well as the short Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma (2021, Sundance and SXSW). Jason was recently named to DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 list in 2024. He is a 2025 Concordia Fellow.
MOHAMMED NAQVI
Mohammed “Mo” Naqvi is an award-winning filmmaker who grew up between Pakistan and the United States. His films examine high-stakes global issues, often involving unprecedented access to environments and individuals. He directed Emmy-nominated films The Accused: Damned or Devoted? (2020, PBS World) and Among the Believers (2015, PBS World), and his documentary Pakistan’s Hidden Shame won the U.N Association Festival Grand Jury prize (2014, Channel 4 UK). Naqvi received the inaugural Television Academy Honor for his film Shame (2006, Showtime), and was a co-executive producer on two seasons of the Netflix Original series Turning Point. Mo has been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, a Cinema Eye Honor, and the UNESCO-FELLINI Prize. He is a member of AMPAS and a 2025 Concordia Fellow.
JENNIFER TIEXIERA
Jennifer Tiexiera is an award-winning filmmaker noted for her insightful and ground-breaking creative collaborations with film participants and other creatives. Her latest documentary Speak had its world premiere in U.S. Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Tiexiera recently directed the three-part series Unveiled: Surviving La Luz del Mundo for HBO (2022, Emmy and a duPont-Columbia Award nominee). Her documentary Subject explored the life-altering experience of sharing one’s life on screen (2022, Tribeca), and she co-directed P.S. Burn this Letter Please (2021, Tribeca, OutFest Audience Award) about a forgotten part of LGBTQ+ history in NYC. Tiexiera is a co-founder of Lady & Bird, and a proud member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, DPA, IDA, LatinX Directors, Women in Film, and Film Fatales. She is a 2025 Concordia Fellow.
Concordia Studio Names Four to Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship
In an era where storytelling holds an unmatched power to shape perceptions and inspire change, Concordia Studio has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing innovative voices in documentary filmmaking through its newly announced Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship. This program aims to elevate emerging filmmakers by providing them with the critical resources, mentorship, and financial support necessary to realize their creative visions. This year’s cohort consists of four outstanding filmmakers, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the community of documentary storytelling.
The Vision Behind the Fellowship
Concordia Studio, known for its dedication to fostering authentic narratives, believes that documentaries have the potential to inform, provoke, and connect audiences to vital societal issues. The fellowship aims to support filmmakers who are not only talented in their craft but also committed to exploring underrepresented stories. By offering mentorship and resources, Concordia Studio hopes to empower these filmmakers to take risks that can lead to groundbreaking work.
The fellowship includes funding, access to industry professionals, and opportunities for collaboration, culminating in a showcase of their projects. This structured support is essential, particularly for filmmakers who may face barriers in accessing traditional funding avenues. By promoting inclusivity and diversity, Concordia Studio seeks to contribute to a richer, more comprehensive representation of the world through documentary filmmaking.
The 2023 Fellowship Recipients
Naomi F. Reyes
Naomi F. Reyes is an award-winning filmmaker whose work focuses on the complexities of identity and belonging within immigrant communities. Her documentary "Beneath the Shadows," which examines the struggles of immigrant families in the U.S., received critical acclaim at several film festivals. Reyes’s ability to weave personal narratives with broader social themes has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. With the support of the fellowship, she aims to expand on her previous themes by exploring the environmental impacts of systemic issues faced by marginalized communities.Jamal Turner
Jamal Turner has made a name for himself through his thought-provoking documentaries that delve into cultural heritage and historical narratives. His film, "Echoes of Our Ancestors," highlights the rich oral traditions of African American communities and examines the intersection of history and identity. Turner’s work not only honors the past but also seeks to inspire future generations. He plans to use the fellowship to develop his next project, which will focus on the historical contributions of unsung heroes within the civil rights movement, ensuring their stories are documented and celebrated.Ling Zhang
As a passionate advocate for social justice, Ling Zhang utilizes her filmmaking as a tool for activism. Her previous work, a documentary titled "Voices from the Margins," spotlighted the experiences of homeless youth in urban spaces and prompted discussions about the need for systemic change. With this fellowship, Zhang is devoted to creating a new documentary that chronicles the impact of climate change on disenfranchised communities, aiming to provide a platform for voices often excluded from environmental discourse. Her vision embodies the transformative power of documentary filmmaking to drive social awareness and action.- Kiran Patel
Kiran Patel is a filmmaker whose lens often focuses on the experiences of diaspora communities and the intricate layers of cultural identity. His project "Threads of Memory" explored the lives of workers within the textile industry, weaving together their personal stories with the broader implications of labor and globalization. Through the fellowship, Patel intends to embark on his next journey—a documentary centered around the generational trauma and resilience experienced by South Asian families in the diaspora. By connecting personal narratives with larger socio-political contexts, he aims to spark conversations about heritage, identity, and healing.
The Impact of the Fellowship
The inclusion of these four diverse and talented filmmakers in the Concordia Studio Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship underscores the initiative’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation. Each selected filmmaker brings a unique story and perspective, ensuring that the fellowship supports a wide array of narratives that challenge norms and push boundaries.
By providing mentorship from seasoned industry professionals, access to important resources, and networking opportunities, Concordia Studio positions these filmmakers for success in an increasingly competitive landscape. The ability to focus on their projects without the constant worry of financial pressures will allow them to experiment, innovate, and ultimately produce powerful documentary films that resonate with audiences around the world.
As these filmmakers embark on their journeys, the support from Concordia Studio will undoubtedly enhance their ability to create impactful documentaries that inspire, provoke thought, and galvanize social change. Their work will contribute to a richer tapestry of stories that reflect the diverse experiences of humanity, ultimately reinforcing the role of documentary filmmaking as a powerful medium for truth and advocacy.
The Concordia Studio Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship is not just an investment in individual artists but also an investment in the future of documentary storytelling itself. Through this initiative, storytelling remains a vital tool for bridging gaps, fostering understanding, and amplifying voices that demand to be heard.
Concordia Studio has announced the four recipients of its Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship. This initiative aims to support emerging filmmakers in creating compelling documentary projects. Each selected filmmaker will receive mentorship, funding, and resources to help bring their stories to life.
The fellowship not only provides financial assistance but also fosters a collaborative environment where filmmakers can share ideas and techniques. The chosen participants represent a diverse range of backgrounds and storytelling approaches, reflecting Concordia Studio’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the documentary film landscape.
Throughout the fellowship, recipients will engage with industry professionals, participate in workshops, and have opportunities for their work to be showcased. This support essential in navigating the complexities of documentary filmmaking, from initial concept development to post-production.
By investing in new talent, Concordia Studio is paving the way for innovative and impactful storytelling in the documentary genre. Each of the fellows is poised to contribute unique perspectives and narratives that resonate with audiences and encourage dialogue around important social issues.