Year-long fellowships for US-based screenwriters and digital media creators offer grants and industry mentorship to support development of Jewish-themed projects; up to 18 fellows
April 7, 2025—Maimonides Fund has announced its call for applications for the third cohorts of the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Screenwriters and Digital Storytellers Labs. These year-long fellowships offer substantial support for US-based creative talent developing Jewish-themed projects. Applications are open through May 23, 2025.
The 2025-26 program cycle introduces significant expansions to both labs, which will now run simultaneously and will each accept up to 18 fellows per cohort. While maintaining distinct programming tailored to their specific disciplines, the labs will share joint in-person seminars to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and community building.
“Maimonides Fund is proud of our work with the Jewish Writers’ Initiative and excited for this new approach, which will serve even more creators and provide even more opportunities for shared learning and community,” said Maimonides Fund President Mark Charendoff.
The Initiative’s Screenwriters Lab, a partnership between Maimonides Fund and Crystal City Entertainment (The Ides of March, The Butler, Paper Clips, The God Committee), empowers screenwriters to develop compelling scripts exploring Jewish identity, culture, values, heritage, or history for mainstream film and television audiences. Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend and participate in three-day seminars in New York and Los Angeles, plus an eight-day immersive experience in Israel. The program culminates with opportunities for fellows to pitch their projects directly to industry financiers.
“The Screenwriters Lab is an invaluable opportunity for writers who want to tell Jewish stories through film and television,” said Ari Pinchot, CEO of Crystal City Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to support these voices and bring them into our flourishing ecosystem of Jewish media.”
Running parallel, the Initiative’s Digital Storytellers Lab—directed by BimBam creator Sarah Lefton and arts educator Janine Okmin—supports creators developing Jewish content for digital platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and podcasts. Projects span multiple formats including short-form video, animation, podcasts, and social media content. Fellows participate in the three seminars in LA, NY and Israel, and receive up to $25,000 in project funding alongside mentorship from digital media experts and resources for content development and audience engagement.
“We are incredibly proud of the work that has emerged from the Digital Storytellers Lab,” said Sarah Lefton. “This program empowers digital creators to share Jewish stories with the world, and we’re excited to continue cultivating new voices and innovative content.”
Both labs have demonstrated tangible success. The recently produced feature film “Bookends” was developed in the Screenwriters Lab by 2020 alum Noam Ash. The film was produced by 5X Media and stars Academy Award-winning actor F. Murray Abraham alongside Caroline Aaron and Charlie Barnett. Several other scripts developed through the program have been picked up by Hollywood financiers or are in active development.
The Digital Storytellers Lab has launched several successful projects, including Danielle Dardashti’s award-winning podcast “The Nightingale of Iran” (recipient of a prestigious Covenant Foundation grant); Sam Butin’s interactive game “Normandie,” which received significant funding from the Claims Conference and has been featured in numerous interactive media conferences and forums; and Chari Pere’s acclaimed animated series “Unspoken“; among many others.
These expanded programs reflect Maimonides Fund’s commitment to amplifying Jewish voices across media platforms, supporting creators who can engage audiences with compelling stories rooted in Jewish experiences and perspectives.
For complete information about both labs and application instructions, visit the Initiative’s website at jwinitiative.com. Applications are due May 23, 2025.
Maimonides Fund is a private grantmaking organization funding projects in North America and Israel. The Fund is dedicated to helping the Jewish people connect with their shared past and actively shape their shared future. For more info visit www.maimonidesfund.org.