Elon University Los Angeles Awards $9,000 in Short Film Grants to Alumni Filmmakers
Table of Contents
A new initiative by Elon University Los Angeles is empowering its alumni in the film industry, awarding a total of $9,000 in production grants to three Los Angeles-based filmmakers. The grants, each totaling $3,000, will support the creation of original short films and provide valuable opportunities for current Elon students.
Fostering Creativity and Collaboration
The 2025-26 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Grant competition, open to all Los Angeles-based Elon alumni last fall, sought proposals for innovative short film projects.A selection committee, comprised of both industry professionals and Elon alumni, meticulously reviewed submissions to identify the most promising concepts. According to a statement released by the university, the funding was made possible, in part, by contributions from the Elon Los Angeles alumni community.
“The goal was to identify and support compelling storytelling from our talented alumni,” said a senior official involved in the grant process. “We were incredibly impressed by the quality of the proposals received.”
Meet the Grant recipients
The three recipients of the 2025-26 grant are:
- Julia Boyd ’15, for her short film “the Life and Times of …”
- Mirai ’07, for her short film “#StopAsianKate”
- Bex Evans ’16, for their short film “Shadow Dusk.”
Mirai’s project,”#StopAsianKate,” specifically addresses a timely and significant social issue. The filmmakers are expected to begin production in early 2026.
A Pipeline for Future Filmmakers
A key component of the grant requirements is a commitment to mentorship and experiential learning. Filmmakers will provide opportunities for Elon University Los Angeles Spring 2026 students to gain hands-on experience through direct set involvement and/or production observation. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice.
Macy Mills ’23 and Jordan Roman ’15, both Elon alumni, served as co-chairs of this year’s grant competition, demonstrating the program’s commitment to alumni engagement.
Industry Expertise on the Selection Committee
The selection committee boasted a wealth of industry experience, including Leonard Dick P’20, an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and showrunner known for his work on “Lost,” “House,” and “The Good Wife”; Marsha Posner Williams, an Emmy Award-winning producer of “The Golden Girls”; and actor Eric Rollins. Several LA-based alumni – frankie Campisano ’16, Mia Ginae Watkins ’16, Lauren Duncan ’18, and Alyssa Needham ’19 – also contributed their expertise to the selection process.
World Premiere at Inaugural Film Festival
The culmination of this initiative will be the world premieres of the three funded short films at the first Elon University Los Angeles alumni Short Film Festival in late July 2026. This event promises to be a showcase of emerging talent and a celebration of the Elon Un
