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2025 Cohort

January 2025 marked the launch of the inaugural Prelude program. Our ten fellows connected with more than 30 established filmmakers and industry experts through mentorship sessions, workshops, talks, and panels. From acclaimed writers to breakout independent directors and senior studio executives, each guest offered a unique perspective on both the art and business of storytelling.

Our first year mentors brought a wealth of experience, including award-winning expertise across the industry, from writers and producers to actors and directors who have worked on projects including ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, AMERICAN FICTION, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, BROAD CITY, THE MORNING SHOW, HACKS, MYSTIC QUEST, YOU’RE SO NOT INVITED TO MY BAT MITZVAH, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, and more.

Program Highlights

Finding Your People with Abbi Jacobson & Amy Poehler
Collaboration with Michelle Buteau & Danielle Sanchez-Witzel
Film Club with EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Editor Paul Rogers
Multidisciplinary Storytelling with Sebastián Silva & Clea DuVall
A Mock Writers’ Room at Film Independent
Defining Your Voice with Mae Martin
Believing in Yourself with Jen Statsky & Andrew Law
Film Club with MINARI composer Emile Mosseri
Trusting the Process with D’Arcy Carden
An Intimate Dinner and Conversation with Natasha Rothwell

Fellows

Leo Aquino
they/them
Pablo De La Cueva
he/him
Arielle Egozi
she/they
Kim Gomez
she/her
Lex Rivera
he/him
Oba Olaniyi
he/him
Emily Ontiveros
she/they
Sazan Pasori
she/her
Yesenia Valencia
she/her
Danielle Young
name preferred, they/them

Mentors

Michelle Badillo
she/her
Aaron Bergman
he/him
Brian Chamberlayne
he/him
Sammi Cohen
they/he
Naomi Ekperigin
she/her
Cord Jefferson
he/him
Hannah Kitziger
she/her
Andrew Law
he/him
Brittani Nichols
she/her
Desta Tedros Reff
she/her

Audience sits on wooden bleachers listening to a presentation in an industrial warehouse space. — Amy Poehler joins our Premiere Event

Group of young people celebrating and posing energetically in a narrow green hallway, some holding Prelude bags. — Retreat Film Club at Now Instant

Black and white photo of a group of people laughing together outdoors. — At our Finale Event

Large group photo of people gathered on an outdoor patio under string lights. — Our Inaugural Fellows & Mentors

Two people pose playfully on a wooden chair, one sitting and one standing behind with hands on the other's head. — Sammi Cohen & Leo Aquino

Two people smile in a large warehouse, one wearing a 'Prelude' tote bag. — Aaron Bergman & Lex Rivera

Two women laugh together at an outdoor dining table with drinks and place settings. — Natasha Rothwell & Abbi at the Retreat

Two women collaborate in a modern studio space with exposed industrial ceiling beams. — Abbi & Mieka at the Premiere Event

Five people sitting in chairs lined in a row in discussion. — A panel with A24’s Briar McQuilken, Sundance’s Kim Yutani, Amazon Studios’ Vernon Sanders, & UTA’s Ugo Obioha

The Prelude Team & Michelle Badillo

People seated at a table with desserts, smiling and reacting during conversation. — Pablo de la Cueva & Sammi Cohen

Two people smiling and posing in front of a red curtain, one making a finger heart gesture. — Andrew Law & Sazan Pasori

People sitting on wooden bleachers indoors, talking and smiling in small groups. — The First Day