Storytelling is strongest when it reflects a richness of voices and perspectives. From creators and directors to producers and industry leaders, representation across communities is essential to advancing film and television. Adobe believes everyone has a story worth telling, and that when creators have access to the training, tools, mentorship and resources to showcase their work, the entire creative landscape becomes richer.
At Adobe, we are proud to continue playing a role in addressing barriers in access to resources, funding, and training across the entertainment industry. That led to the Adobe Film & TV Fund, a fund that supports emerging and mid-career filmmakers by combining funding, fellowships, training and Adobe product access to help them develop projects, build careers, and tell next-generation stories. The fund invests in independent film and TV projects, equips creators with modern, AI-powered Adobe tools and skills, and partners with community organizations.
In 2026, Adobe is committing $10 million in grants and donated products, helping unlock creative opportunities and career advancement for creators around the world
As part of this expansion, we’re excited to share the next evolution: scaling the Adobe Film & TV Fund to direct more funds to the production of filmmakers’ stories. With this new approach, creators of all backgrounds will be able to receive funding and product donations for their films through two pathways: via our industry-leading community partners and, for the first time, directly from Adobe.
The new direct-to-creators funding pathway will solicit nominations from industry and community organizations in its first year and will support projects built on Adobe’s industry-leading tools such as Premiere and Adobe Firefly. More details about applying to this fund will be available later this year; please send an email to createchange@adobe.com to sign up for future updates.
An ongoing commitment to creator-led storytelling
To date, the Adobe Film & TV Fund has supported more than 1,000 creators as they grow and develop their careers. Four creators, backed by the fund, have projects premiering at Sundance this year, including:
- Stephanie Ahn, writer-director, “Bedford Park” (supported via Gold House)
- Daniel Chavez, editor, “American Pachuco” (supported via Rideback RISE)
- Monica Salazar, editor, “Marga en el DF” (supported via Rideback RISE)
- Anooya Swamy, director, “Pankaja” (Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellow)
We also have four previous Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows who have films premiering at the festival, including:
- Giselle Bonilla, director, “The Musical”
- Gerardo Coello, co-writer and producer, "Albatross"
- Maliyamungu Muhande, associate producer, "Once Upon a Time in Harlem"
- Matthew Puccini, director, "Callback"
Building on the Film & TV Fund’s momentum
As the Film & TV Fund enters its third year, Adobe continues to expand its network of partners committed to supporting the next generation of storytellers. Alongside ongoing collaborations with partners such as Group Effort Initiative, University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications, NAACP and Gold House, we are launching new partnerships with two deserving organizations: Rideback RISE and Dimz, Inc.
Rideback RISE empowers mid-career artists of color to make commercial film and television projects through their RISE Fellowship, offering creative and financial support. The organization also provides mentorship and masterclasses for the next generation of creative talent through RISE Circle programming.
Founded by Amelia Dimoldenberg, Dimz Inc. Academy is a transformative creative skills program for 18–24-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in careers in digital media. Inspired by her early experiences in a youth club, where the seeds of her beloved interview series "Chicken Shop Date" were first planted, Dimoldenberg now pays it forward through a free summer program hosted in collaboration with Spiral Skills that offers training in ideation, storytelling, production, video editing, and more. With Adobe’s support, the program will expand from a one-week pilot to a four-week hands-on workshop paired with long-term support to create clear pathways into creative careers.
“I feel really fortunate that my experience in a youth run project laid the foundation for the career I have today. That’s what I hope to be able to do for others with Dimz Inc. Academy," said Amelia Dimoldenberg, host, producer, and founder of Dimz Inc. Academy. "With last year’s pilot program under our belt, I’m excited for us to carry on creating something truly impactful this year with the generous support of Adobe. They’re a dream partner because they really understand the importance of supporting creatives and they make the tools needed to do so — which have helped me so much in my own journey.”
We are also expanding our support of the Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship by introducing a new short film fund available to Ignite alumni. These new and expanded partnerships will help us continue to reach more creators and to move more projects from concept to screen in the coming years.
The Film & TV Fund builds on Adobe’s broader commitment to fostering greater access, opportunity and creativity for all. By expanding the Film & TV Fund to support creators directly, Adobe continues to champion a more inclusive, innovative, and creator-driven entertainment ecosystem, one where technology helps unlock limitless creativity.
