Catapult Film Fund Announces 2026 Research Fellows with Oscar Winner Diane Becker as Lead Advisor
Catapult Film Fund Unveils 2026 Research Fellows
The Catapult Film Fund has announced its 2026 Research Fellows, a select group of five filmmakers who will each receive $10,000 to support the development of their documentary projects. This initiative aims to provide essential early-stage funding and resources for filmmakers addressing critical narratives.
The chosen fellows include Isabel Castro, Lauren Domino, Amber Fares, Ivan MacDonald, and Igor Myakotin. These filmmakers, recognized for their notable achievements in the documentary genre, will also benefit from personalized advising as they work on their films with Diane Becker, an Academy Award-winning producer, serving as the lead advisor.
“In a field where early research is both essential and chronically underfunded—often the moment when funding is hardest to secure and considered riskiest to give—the Catapult Research Grant positions this phase as foundational to the storytelling process,” stated the organization. The program emphasizes the significance of supporting filmmakers during the initial stages of idea formulation, allowing for exploration and creative discovery that are crucial in determining a film’s ultimate direction and impact.
Megan Gelstein, co-director and chief program officer of Catapult Film Fund, remarked, “Some of the most important moments in a documentary’s life happen long before a camera is rolling.” She elaborated that the Research Fellowship is designed to safeguard this early creative stage, giving this talented cohort a unique opportunity to delve into their ideas alongside Becker’s expertise.
Becker, whose credits include films like The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, expressed her enthusiasm for the fellowship: “The early stage is where real discovery and magic happen… It’s a privilege to spend time with this talented cohort as they explore these important questions.”
Founded 15 years ago, Catapult Film Fund targets the lack of early support and sustainability in the documentary sphere. The Research Grant program, initiated in 2020, arose from discussions with filmmakers about barriers encountered during the research phase of their projects.
The 2026 Research Fellows and their projects are as follows:
Isabel Castro
Project: Untitled Los Angeles Film
Description: A series of vignettes depicting migrants navigating a fractured American Dream.
Bio: Castro, a five-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker, has received accolades for her documentaries, including Selena y Los Dinos and Mija.
Lauren Domino
Project: Butts: A Backstory
Description: A dynamic examination of humanity’s multifaceted relationship with body image, intertwined with the creation of a museum exhibition.
Bio: Domino is a Peabody, Grammy, and PGA award-winning producer, known for her work on TIME and American Symphony.
Amber Fares
Project: Untitled Alberta Project
Description: An investigation into political identity and ideology in Alberta, Canada.
Bio: Fares is an Oscar-nominated director recognized for her compelling storytelling, with notable works including Coexistence, My Ass!.
Ivan MacDonald
Project: Blackfeet Heavy Metal
Description: Focuses on indigenous youth using heavy metal music as a means of healing and empowerment.
Bio: An Emmy-winning filmmaker, MacDonald’s recent documentary, Bring Them Home, highlights tribal efforts in wildlife conservation.
Igor Myakotin
Project: The Russia Solution
Description: Confidential.
Bio: Myakotin is an Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning filmmaker, engaged in stories centered on queer survival in oppressive settings.
The commitment of the Catapult Film Fund to bolster the documentary landscape reflects a significant attempt to nurture emerging voices and crucial narratives.
