Director’s Cut: Documentary Filmmaking Fellowship

(Spring 2026)

Application is open!

The deadline to apply for this fellowship is Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The Jacob Burns Film Center is proud to launch Director’s Cut: Documentary Filmmaking Fellowship, a new fellowship beginning in spring 2026 that offers 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students the opportunity to create a short documentary while working alongside leading voices in the film industry. Developed in collaboration with New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts and in partnership with industry experts from Imagine Entertainment, this fully funded fellowship immerses students in the creative and ethical practice of documentary storytelling.

Over the course of the Fellowship, a small cohort of students will work under the tutelage of an NYU instructor to research, shoot, and edit a short documentary centered on Bronx Lacrosse, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people through athletics, education, and mentorship. Students will learn core documentary skills including story development, interviewing, cinematography, sound, and post-production – while engaging directly with their subject and collaborators.

Designed as an intensive, hands-on experience, the program emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and professional practice. By the end of the Fellowship, participants will have completed a polished short documentary to anchor their creative portfolio and deepen their understanding of nonfiction filmmaking and social impact storytelling. Their finished documentary will be screened at the Jacob Burns Film Center during a celebratory event for family and friends.

Students must apply for admission. Selection will be based on a review of the completed application, personal statement, creative résumé, and a virtual group interview. There is no cost to participate, and all accepted students will receive a generous stipend to help cover transportation and lost wages. Complete application details are below and the deadline to apply is Sunday, February 1, 2026. We encourage all students with an interest in documentary filmmaking that are currently in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade to apply.

Director’s Cut: Documentary Filmmaking Fellowship includes several key features designed to support student growth and professional development:

• Generous stipend for transportation and lost wages
• Access to industry-standard equipment and editing software
• Instruction and mentorship from NYU faculty
• Guidance and insight from professionals at Imagine Entertainment
• A completed, professional-quality documentary suitable for college and scholarship applications

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Location: Jacob Burns Film Center Media Arts Lab

*405 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570

Program Dates: March 7–May 30, 2026 (10 Saturdays) and Tuesday, June 2, 2026*

*The course will NOT be held on March 28, April 4, and May 23. The culminating screening, Q&A, and reception will take place on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026. In addition to weekly in-person classes, students will be expected to participate in four weekday afternoon Zoom sessions with Imagine Entertainment, spread over the duration of the course, and one set/production visit to Imagine Entertainment offices which will also take place on a weekday afternoon.

Time: 9:30 AM—4:00 PM*

*Culminating screening details to follow. 

Capacity: 10 Students

Grade Level: Students in grades 10, 11, and 12

APPLICATION PROCESS/INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

• Step 1 – Requirements and Eligibility
• Step 2 – Online Application
• Step 3 – Verification
• Step 4 – Notification
• Step 5 – Confirmation

STEP 1: REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY

• This program is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students in spring 2026 who did not participate in Director’s Cut: Documentary Filmmaking Fellowship in 2025.
• You must agree to be available and make the commitment to attend the course every Saturday from March 7, 2026 to May 30, 2026, from 9:30 AM—4:00 PM. The course will take place on the following days: March 7, March 14, March 21, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, and May 30. The culminating screening, Q&A, and reception will take place on the evening of June 2, 2026. The course will NOT be held on March 28, April 4, and May 23. In addition to Saturday classes, you will be expected to participate in four weekday afternoon Zoom sessions with Imagine Entertainment, spread over the duration of the course, and one set/production visit to Imagine Entertainment offices which will also take place on a weekday afternoon.
• The deadline to apply for the program is Sunday, February 1, 2026. Admission decision is based on a review of completed application form, including personal statement, creative résumé, and virtual group interview. All communications regarding your application, including your admission decision, will be communicated to you via the email address you have provided on your application. Please note: you will be receiving time sensitive communication via email that will require a response.

STEP 2: ONLINE APPLICATION

Please submit the following:

• A Completed Application Form (Google Form)
• Personal Statement
  • Please upload your Personal Statement to the application. Your Personal Statement should be a 500 word statement that demonstrates who you are, your values, and what inspires you.
• Creative Résumé
  • Please upload your Creative Résumé to the application. Your Creative Résumé should demonstrate your achievements, interests, and showcase anything that creatively expresses who you are as an individual.

STEP 3: VERIFICATION

• Our primary method of communication is email. Please be sure to allow emails from edujbfc@gmail.com and registrar@burnsfilmcenter.org to be viewed.
• Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automated email from edujbfc@gmail.com confirming your application has been received. If any information on your application is missing or incomplete, you will receive an email notifying you to submit those items.
• Once your application is verified as complete, ALL follow up emails will come from registrar@burnsfilmcenter.org. You will be evaluated by NYU Tisch and JBFC faculty and staff. Group  Zoom interviews will be conducted and you may be asked to provide references to be contacted. Once all evaluations are complete, you will receive final status notification and further details will be provided to you about the course structure and stipend.

STEP 4: NOTIFICATION

• Final status notification will be sent via email from registrar@burnsfilmcenter.org.

STEP 5: CONFIRMATION

If accepted into the program, you will be asked via email to confirm your participation by the deadline found in your acceptance email.

APPLY NOW