Proof of Concept, an accelerator program supporting women, trans and nonbinary filmmakers founded by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Emmy-nominated producer Coco Francini and Dr. Stacy L. Smith, and supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, has announced its second cohort.
The eight selected filmmakers are Taylor Bakken, Jessica Barr, Asmahan Bkerat, Rachel Goldberg, Jessica Kozak, Alejandra López, Sam Mandich and Olivia Peace. Each selected project receives $50,000 to produce a short film, designed as a proof of concept for a larger feature or series; filmmakers also receive creative mentorship and industry access. The films will premiere in a curated showcase later this year.
“We built this program to provide tangible support for filmmakers whose work might otherwise be overlooked, and to create space for their ideas to evolve,” said Blanchett and Francini, partners at Dirty Films. “By investing in their projects and supporting their creative development, we are working to expand access and ensure that more inclusive, dynamic storytelling reaches audiences.”
Dr. Smith, founder of USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, added: “These 8 filmmakers have incredible depth of skill and originality, and we believe it’s critical to create more opportunities to support their projects. By investing in new voices and removing the barriers that have historically limited access to the industry, we aim to ensure that these talented creatives have a real pathway to bring their stories to life and thrive in the entertainment industry.”
