NeXt Doc

We’re deep in the 2026–27 NeXt Doc Fellowship review and selection process and are so excited and honored to be reviewing a record 137 applications from filmmakers from 21 countries across the globe!

Throughout the process, we’ve been incredibly impressed by the range, depth, and talent of artists working across so many forms of non-fiction storytelling. It’s been inspiring to encounter such a powerful group of emerging voices and bold creative visions from around the world.

Keep an eye out for our announcement of the 2026–27 cohort of fellows in early May, and in the meantime, thank you to everyone who helped spread the word!

Last week to get those applications in for the 2026-27 Next Doc Fellowship!

Deadling to apply is THIS Friday March 6th @ 11:59pm PST

https://www.nextdoc.org/apply

NeXt Doc is a year-long fellowship designed to amplify the voices of documentary filmmakers ages 21-25 from communities that historically have not had access to film programs, artistic communities, or critical development for their filmmaking skills.

NeXt Doc kicks off with a week-long gathering in June and continues with year-round programming, personalized mentorship and opportunities for creative development, technical support, funding and artistic growth.

The opening week centers community building, and includes masterclasses and screenings presented by award-winning filmmakers, along with workshops led by our team focused on project development, artistic growth and critical explorations of ethics in storytelling, power and representation in non-fiction film.

NeXt Doc fellows are invited to not only explore and challenge their understanding of the turbulent history, frameworks, and practices of documentary, but to envision a new one!

NeXt Doc is intended to be accessible to all eligible non-fiction filmmakers, regardless of their financial status or geographical location. There is no cost to apply, and those selected will attend free of charge with food, housing, and workshops all fully covered. For selected fellows who are unable to travel safely to the U.S., we will provide a dynamic virtual fellowship experience.

It's our 10th year of NeXt Doc and our 2026 NeXt Doc Fellowship Applications are now open!

NeXt Doc is a year-long fellowship that brings together emerging non-fiction storytellers ages 21-25 from diverse backgrounds with award-winning documentary filmmakers to learn, share, and build their skills.

The fellowship kicks off with a week-long retreat in June and continues with year-round programming, personalized mentorship and opportunities for creative development, technical support, funding and artistic growth.

NeXt Doc fellows are invited to not only explore and challenge their understanding of the turbulent history, frameworks, and practices of documentary, but to envision a new one!

NeXt Doc is intended to be accessible to all filmmakers who are eligible to apply, no matter their financial status. There is no cost to apply, and those selected will attend free of charge with food, housing, and workshops all fully covered.

The deadline to apply is Friday March 6th, 2026, at 11:59PM PST.

Application Link: www.nextdoc.org/apply

LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR YOUTH FX ARTS2WORK!

2025-26 Youth FX Arts2Work Fellowship Applications close this Friday August 8th @ 11:59pm EST!

The Youth FX Arts2Work Fellowship is a year-long workforce development program in partnership with The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture. This paid, hands-on, film and digital media production fellowship is for young adults ages 20-25 in the Capital Region.

**$600 Monthly Stipend
**MacBook Pro
**Connect and create w/ artists from the Capital Region
**Access to Professional Cinema Gear and Equipment
**Access to the national Arts2Work Network
**Adobe Certification
**Produce 2 short films and 1 short narrative screenplay
**Paid Production Opportunities

Youth FX Arts2Work fellows will be trained in digital storytelling, cinematography, editing, production workflows, portfolio development, budgeting and more, and will also be mentored through on-the-job experiences while learning from professionals in the field.

This initiative is intended for people who have been historically under-resourced, underemployed/unemployed, or currently not enrolled in a full-time college program. Ideal candidates are self-directed, proactive, and collaborate well with diverse groups of people. There is no cost to apply.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 8th at 11:59 PM EST

For more information and to apply online, please visit: www.youthfx.org/arts2work

The Youth FX Arts2Work Program is supported by funding from Advance Albany County Alliance, Albany County ARPA Workforce Development Fund, and the Touhey Family Foundation.

BlackStar Film Festival has released the film program for this year’s festival!

It includes the world premiere of Louis Massiah and Monica Henriquez’s TCB – THE TONI CADE BAMBARA SCHOOL OF ORGANIZING, the North American premiere of Jenn Nkiru’s THE GREAT NORTH, a special screening of Kahlil Joseph’s BLKNWS: TERMS & CONDITIONS and the North America premiere of Letitia Wright’s HIGHWAY TO THE MOON.

Check out the full lineup and join them on Broad Street or virtually this summer for four days of ground-breaking films, enriching panels, parties, immaculate vibes, and community:

BlackStar Film Festival 2025 - BlackStar Submissions for the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival open January 7.

✨NEXT DOC 2024 - DAY 7-8✨

We laughed, cried, discovered, shared meals together, played games, learned new things, taught each other and overall had a beautiful week at Galusha Hill Farms!

Looking forward to continued world building with this phenomenal group of individuals. ❤️🎥

✨NEXT DOC 2024 - DAY 5-6✨

Taking time to center ourselves and intentionally think about our own futures and the future of filmmaking. We’re dreaming, believing and creating our own narratives. Reaching back to reclaim what we’ve been made to forget.

Thank you to and .k.p.l.m for leading very insightful and thought provoking Master Classes.

Deep deep gratitude for the space being held this week. 🙏🏾💌

📸 :

We're just a couple of days away from kicking off our 2024 NeXt Doc Fellowship at Galusha Hill Farms in Vermont! We've introduced you to our fellows and our presenting artists and filmmakers and now it's time to meet the team behind NeXt Doc!

NeXt Doc Program Directors
Darian Henry & Bhawin Suchak

NeXt Doc Head Chef and Sous Chef/Support Staff
Maya Suchak & Camille Dobbs

NeXt Doc Photographer
Jayana Espinoza

NeXt Doc Video Team
Daysia Lenee & Michael Mejia

Huge shoutout to this amazing crew, and also to our support staff Tyler Ki-Re and Rashid Howell!

Teamwork makes the Dream work!!!

Youth FX Annual World Premiere Screening!!!!

Tickets will sell out so get yours soon!

https://www.youthfx.org/2024

We're excited to be partnering with the newly re-opened Scene One Spectrum 8 Theatres on our Youth FX World Premiere Screening on Thursday June 6th @ 6:30pm at the Spectrum 8 Theaters!!!

The screening will feature the world premiere of new short films created by Youth FX students from across the Capital Region and will be followed by a Q & A with the young filmmakers and program staff.

Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.youthfx.org/2024

$5/Students
$10/Adults
$25 special donor ticket

ENCORE Screening: Tuesday June 11th @ 6:30pm

***Please note that our screening is rated PG-13 as some of our films have intense scenes and explore complex and mature issues.

ALL Proceeds from these screenings will go towards our 6 Week Summer Program.

In addition to the ten in-person fellows, NeXt Doc is proud to introduce our two 2024 virtual fellows Megdad Emad (Port Sudan, Sudan) and Awais Hameed (Karachi, Pakistan).

We received over 130 applicants from 23 countries and 24 states, offering virtual support felt like a critical step for us this year in our effort to expand NeXt Doc's reach and impact while addressing the obvious need. Megdad and Awais will be offered a year of individualized mentorship, masterclasses and workshops, and virtual mentorship with filmmakers Jude Chehab and Fahd Ahmed.

We are thrilled to welcome our first truly international cohort of NeXt Doc Fellows, hailing from Congo, Sudan, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Haiti, and across the United States, reflecting a rich diversity of critically relevant perspectives in the global documentary film landscape. We’re excited about the possibilities and potentials of global solidarity!