Dear Friends, Family, and Colleagues,
The Andrew Berends Film Fellowship is proud to announce that the 2026 Fellowship applications are now open! We’d also like to share updates from previous Fellows, below.
Please note: the deadline for all submissions is July 30, 2026.
Click here to apply: Submissions
Andy was a courageous and talented filmmaker who sought out stories in places the mainstream media ignored. He shone a light on communities, people, and children facing unimaginable hardships. He traveled, shot, edited, and promoted his work with intense dedication.
Before applying, we strongly recommend screening at least 2 of Andy’s films, available here, and learn more about the previous Fellows here, to get a sense of the specific types of projects we support.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible projects must be in the spirit of Andrew Berends’ work.
The Fellowship accepts applicants, 18 years or older, from all backgrounds and locations, working on their first, second, or third feature-length documentary.
Projects must be in production, with at least 25% of production completed.
Applicants must submit a trailer or sample, strictly between 4 and 10 minutes, of their current project, consisting primarily of original material.
The project’s primary story must take place in the present, e.g. no historical documentaries or primarily interview-based documentaries will be considered.
We are looking forward to seeing all of the project submissions!
Cutting Through Rocks (ABFF Fellow, 2021)
We are proud to share that the Andrew Berends Fellowship Winner Cutting Through Rocks was nominated for Oscar: Best Feature Documentary at the 98th Academy Awards, and was winner of the Grand Jury Prize of the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
To see the full list of awards and nominations, see their IMDB page. The film has screened at over 120 film festivals thus far and continues to play at festivals worldwide.
Congratulations to Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni!
Black Snow (ABFF Fellow, 2021)
ABFF Fellowship winner Alina Simone has had great success with Black Snow. Broadcasts include PBS / POV (USA), SVT (SWEDEN), and MDR (GERMANY).
Black Snow recently received the News & Documentary Emmy Award Nomination for Best Documentary!
Seen here with Alina at the DOC NYC North American premiere, “the real” Erin Brockovich joined the team as an Executive Producer. Brockovich lauded Black Snow for illuminating “the vast reach of these environmental issues and the extraordinary lengths a mother will go to protect her children, family, and community.”
The film has won other awards, nominations, and participated in many festivals. For more info see the press kit. Congratulations Alina Simone!
The Fellowship is always looking for new Mentors for upcoming Fellows. If you would consider joining the prestigious ABFF Mentors, please reach out to us at info at andrewberends dot net
Many thanks,
The Fellowship Board:
Jason Gardner
Brenden Hussey
Maria Ibrahimova
Michiel Pilgram
Aaron Soffin