SHORT FILM GRANT
EMPOWERING FEMALE DIRECTORS
This grant aims to support and elevate the voices of female filmmakers who are committed to telling diverse and underrepresented stories through animation. By providing financial assistance, mentorship, and other resources, the grant empowers emerging and established female directors to bring to life unique narratives that reflect the complexities and richness of global cultures, identities, and experiences.
For our inaugural theme, we are interested in projects that explore mythology from diverse cultures around the globe. Whether drawing from ancient folklore or contemporary stories, this is an opportunity for filmmakers to reimagine and reshape traditional myths, integrating unique cultural perspectives and shedding new light on timeless stories that resonate across generations. We encourage bold, imaginative, and culturally rich storytelling that not only honors the past but also redefines how mythology can shape the present and future.
MYTHICAL TALES
ELLEN SU
2025 AWARDEE
Ellen is a Chinese American director and designer that has worked in a variety of roles in the animation space for 10 years. She started her directing career in the advertising space but always had dreams of creating her own anime series. However, when she looked to shift over to the episodic TV industry, she realized her experience in ads didn’t qualify her to direct in the narrative space.
Thus she pivoted into Recruiting in order to learn about the industry, and in the meantime, she developed her own IP which combines everything she loves: action-comedy anime, kung fu films, supernatural mysteries and DOGS. This grant helps Ellen get one step closer to her dream by allowing her to produce a proof-of-concept set to release Fall 2025.
Animated Content to be Produced: “DAISING”
Logline: A Chinese American girl is willing to face the wrath of Heaven, Hell and everything in between to save her magic dog, also known as the “Fortune Beast”.
KANIZ FATEMA
2024 AWARDEE
Kaniz Fatema is a New York City based story artist, educator, and Titmouse Foundation Scholar (Future Directors Program 2023). Born in Dhaka and raised in DC with an abundance of cartoons, fantasy novels, and Bollywood movies, Kaniz seeks to make work that explores themes of adolescence, autonomy, and empowerment. When she is not drawing you can find her inventing new recipes, decorating friends with henna or rewatching the Boondocks.
Short Film to be Produced: “The Fisherman’s Lullaby”
Logline: As gods of the sea and earth yearn to reunite, a young monk girl must fight to save her island from existential danger.