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.
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 between February 1 and April 15 of 2026 to be screened at an event in May 2026.
Kristen Bell
Actor, Producer, Activist
Dr. Stacy L. Smith
Founder, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
Link to mental health
Portrayal of resiliency and capacity
*Applications will be reviewed by a team including producer Coco Francini
Information on the filmmaker(s)
Information on the film
Applications Open November 2025
TIMELINE
Applications close on January 26th, 2026. Applications will be reviewed and winners announced in March 2026. Films must be completed by June 1st, 2026.
