Femme Frontera Fellowship

This program supports nonfiction and narrative filmmakers or filmmaking teams working in the borderlands between the United States and Mexico.

In this year-long program, filmmakers receive:

  • $2,500 USD in grant funding for their project

  • Mentorship with Femme Frontera team members & community

  • Participation in the Pitch Fest at the 2026 Femme Frontera Film Festival

  • Travel stipend for project director to attend the 2026 Femme Frontera Film Festival in El Paso in June

  • Tailored industry and funder connections

  • Peer support from their cohort

The Femme Frontera Fellowship is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the National Assoc. of Latino Arts and Cultures and through general operating support from our wonderful community of donors and grantmakers.

Femme Frontera’s Fellowship Program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of borderland storytellers by strengthening their ability to effectively present and develop their film projects through mentorship, collaborative learning, and professional pitching opportunities. The program serves as a bridge between emerging filmmakers and industry professionals, offering guidance, exposure, and access to networks that can transform creative concepts into realized productions.

Femme Frontera will select 3 projects for the inaugural 2026 Fellowship. Participation in the program includes a financial award of $2,500 to support project development and a travel stipend to the 2026 Festival. Selected participants receive project support funds, and acceptance of these funds constitutes an agreement to fully participate in all program activities, including preparatory sessions and the public Pitch Fest during the Femme Frontera Film Festival.Eligibility & Criteria

  • The Femme Frontera Fellowship is targeting a diverse cross-section of women and gender-expansive filmmakers from the U.S.-Mexico border region who are emerging filmmakers creating content on and about border communities.. 

  • Above all, ideal candidates should demonstrate a strong capacity for artistic growth and eagerness to participate in peer mentorship, collaborative learning experiences with a diverse cohort of other filmmakers, and a pitch forum at the 2026 Femme Frontera Festival. All awarded Fellows are required to attend the festival, June 4 - June 7.

  • The applicant should be the Director and the creative lead of their project, applying as an individual.

  • Eligible films can be at any stage of production from development to post-production. Projects should be in a place to benefit from mentorship and a pitch forum.

Program Timeline

  • Application Info-Session: TBD in Early-March

  • Application Deadline:  Monday, April 6 at 12am MST

  • Finalist will be notified in late April. Final selections will be notified in early May.

  • Virtual Pitch Workshop: TBD in Mid-May

  • Pitch coaching and prep in El Paso on Thursday, June 4

  • Pitch Fest is Saturday, June 6 in El Paso.

  • Mentorship Sessions upon request throughout 2026

The FF Fellowship Program provides participants with a structured mentorship process that includes one virtual preparatory session and an intensive in-person program held before the Pitch Fest during the Femme Frontera Film Festival. These sessions are designed to build confidence, sharpen communication skills, and deepen understanding of industry practices while maintaining a focus on authenticity, ethical storytelling, and the representation of border narratives.

Program leadership works closely with mentors, panelists, and partner organizations to curate a dynamic and inclusive environment that prioritizes the artistic and professional growth of Femme Frontera filmmakers. This includes coordinating mentor pairings, managing participant communications, organizing preparatory workshops, and ensuring logistical and technical support throughout the process.

The FF Fellowship Program culminates in a public, industry-facing pitching event held in conjunction with the Femme Frontera Film Festival, where participants present their projects before  a public audience as well as industry professionals. Selected filmmakers may receive additional awards, professional feedback, or continued mentorship opportunities that support the advancement of their projects. Beyond the annual event, the FF Fellowship Program continues to nurture participants by connecting them with long-term professional development opportunities, networking spaces, and potential collaborators across the film industry.

Guided by Femme Frontera’s mission to uplift border voices and expand access to professional filmmaking resources, the Femme Frontera Fellowship Program ensures that every mentorship, workshop, and presentation uplifts the creativity and resilience of borderland filmmakers — empowering them to bring their stories to the global stage.

If you have any additional question, do not hesitate to email us at info@femmefrontera.org

APPLY HERE