The Accelerator is designed to foster storytelling that uplifts and empowers, sparking broader conversations about what it means to build mental resilience and emotional capacity.
Meet the recipients here!
The Mental Health Accelerator will invite applicants with prior filmmaking experience to apply for a grant of $20,000 to create a short film focused on a mental health story.
Up to 3 filmmakers will be selected to receive $20,000 each in funding
The story should center on a mental health topic, and the portrayal must include depictions of resiliency and capacity.
The films must be completed by June 1st, 2026 to be screened at an event in Summer 2026.
Kristen Bell
Actor, Producer, Activist
Dr. Stacy L. Smith
Founder, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
Allison Norlian
Chloe Antoinette
Novelty
Relevance to market/alignment with market forces
Artistic quality of submission
Strength of proposed story
Link to mental health
Portrayal of resiliency and capacity
Perceived ability to carry out the project successfully
Demonstrated capacity to tell a story focused on mental health
*Applications will be reviewed by a team including producer Coco Francini
Information on the filmmaker(s)
Personal statement
Links/copies of previous work
Resume/CV
Letter of Recommendation from someone in the industry
Information on the film
Proposed short film script
Lookbook
Information on feature film (if applicable)
