NBCU Academy and NBC News Studios’ Announce Original Voices Accelerator Fellowship

December 04, 2023

NBCU Academy and NBC News Studios’ Original Voices program have announced the Original Voices Accelerator, a six-month intensive fellowship for US-based student filmmakers and critics interested in documentary film, journalism, and inclusion. 

The program, running from February to July, pairs college student participants with an experienced Original Voices Fellow serving as their mentor. Both Fellows and Mentors will receive an $8,000 grant to support the development and production of their projects.

Eligible applicants must be US-based student filmmakers and/or critics who showcase stories highlighting social issues including but not limited to, women, LGBTQ+ folx, communities of color, and people with disabilities.

In collaboration with NBCU Academy and the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism at the University of Missouri, an NBCU Academy Academic Partner, the Original Voices Accelerator aims to pave the way for the next generation of storytellers. The program includes private workshops, mentorship sessions, networking opportunities, and conversations with industry leaders focused on inclusion and innovation.

Original Voices Accelerator Fellows will receive all-access passes and accommodations to the Based on a True Story Conference, as well as True/False festival. Workshops throughout the fellowship will be led by experts from organizations such as Sundance Institute, Firelight Media, BlackStar Projects, IF/Then Shorts, NeXt Doc, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Third Horizon, and Exposure Labs.

NBCU Academy and NBCU News Group is part of Comcast NBCUniversal and reflects the company’s commitment to creating a sustainable pipeline of access and opportunity to people across all genders, races, geographic and socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives.

For more information about the Original Voices Accelerator program and application procedures, please visit this form.