Thirty-six fellows selected from more than 550 applicants to develop Jewish stories for film, television, podcasts, digital media, and emerging platforms 

New York, NY — October 2026 — Maimonides Fund is proud to announce the 2026-27 cohorts of the Jewish Writers Institute's Screenwriters Lab and Digital Storytellers Lab, two year-long fellowship programs supporting exceptional creatives whose work explores Jewish history, identity, culture, values, and contemporary life. The Institute selected 36 fellows this year from more than 550 applications received across the two programs. 

Now entering their fourth year, the Screenwriters Lab and Digital Storytellers Lab provide funding, mentorship, education, and community to writers and creators working across a wide range of formats. Fellows participate in seminars in Los Angeles, New York, and Israel, engage with leading industry professionals and Jewish content experts, and receive individualized support as they develop ambitious projects for mainstream audiences.  

"The future of Jewish storytelling depends on talented creators who can bring complex, compelling, and original Jewish narratives into the broader cultural conversation," said Mark Charendoff, President of Maimonides Fund. "We are thrilled to welcome this new cohort of fellows and to support them as they create works that help audiences engage with Jewish experiences in meaningful ways."  

The Screenwriters Lab is operated in partnership with Crystal City Entertainment’s Ari Pinchot and Jonathan Rubenstein. This year’s scripts in development range from a cyber steampunk, dystopian sci-fi epic reimagining of the Esther story; an inspired-by-real-life take on an all-female Jewish EMT corps; a horror feature revealing the real reason mirrors are covered in a shiva house; and many more inventive and relevant takes on Jewish life past, present, and future, from accomplished screenwriters, directors, and producers. 

The Digital Storytellers Lab is run by media producer Sarah Lefton and arts educator Janine Okmin. This year’s projects include a noirish, digital graphic novel take on the mahjong revival; a first-person history travelogue, shot in post-Assad Damascus and Aleppo; a Grammy-winning musician’s original Jewish holiday music for kids; and much more from creators working in podcasts, animation, digital comics, short-form video and documentary series, and social media. 

The two cohorts will participate in a shared year-long experience that combines creative development, professional advancement, and Jewish learning. By bringing together creators from multiple disciplines and backgrounds, the Institute seeks to strengthen both individual projects and the broader ecosystem of Jewish cultural production.  

The full list of fellows and project descriptions can be found at the Jewish Writers Institute website. Click here for Screenwriters and here for Digital Storytellers.

About the Jewish Writers Institute 

The Jewish Writers Institute supports creatives in developing Jewish-themed stories for film, television, and digital media. Through its immersive fellowships, the Institute helps creators bring compelling Jewish stories to wider audiences while deepening their engagement with Jewish culture, history, and ideas.  

About Maimonides Fund 

Maimonides Fund is a private grantmaking organization that supports initiatives in North America and Israel that help the Jewish people understand their shared past and build a thriving Jewish future.