Full Breakdown
Academy Announces 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
3/24/2026, 6:30:00 AM
Overview of the Nicholl Fellowships
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the recipients of the 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, an initiative aimed at supporting non-professional screenwriters. This year’s fellows include Lynn McKee, Katla Sólnes, Leo Aguirre, Omar Al Dakheel, Elie El Choufany, Sara Crow, and David Rafailedes. The program, which collaborates with 40 universities, labs, festivals, and filmmaker programs, provides resources, networking opportunities, and career advancement support to its fellows.
Selection Process and Criteria
The selection process for the Nicholl Fellowships involved over 500 Academy members who evaluated scripts to determine the finalists. A committee of 23 Academy members ultimately selected the fellows from the top ten finalists. This year saw a 149 percent increase in Academy member participation compared to previous years. The initiative is governed by the Academy Foundation board of trustees, co-chaired by Academy Governor Kim Taylor-Coleman and producer Julie Lynn.
Profiles of the 2025-2026 Fellows
Individual Recipients
- Leo Aguirre (San Antonio, TX): His screenplay, “Verano,” explores the relationship between a withdrawn teen and an asylum seeker from Central America.
- Lynn McKee (Queens, NY): In “I’m Ready to Go Anywhere,” a ten-year-old girl navigates the challenges of her chaotic life in 1980s Phoenix while trying to protect her family.
- Katla Sólnes (New York, NY): “Eruption” tells the story of a geologist’s wife in 1970s Iceland whose marriage is tested by the arrival of an American student.
Writing Teams
- Omar Al Dakheel and Elie El Choufany (Los Angeles, CA): Their screenplay, “The Washroom,” focuses on a young imam in Texas fighting for his community's burial rights while concealing a forbidden love.
- Sara Crow and David Rafailedes (Brooklyn, NY): Their project, “Satoshi,” follows a teen hacktivist who seeks to create a new digital currency after her family loses everything in the 2008 financial crisis.
Official Statements
Academy Governor Kim Taylor-Coleman expressed enthusiasm for the diverse group of writers selected, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, a remarkable group of diverse and international new writers who represent the future of storytelling.” She also acknowledged the contributions of participating Academy members and partners like Franklin Leonard and The Black List.
Importance of the Nicholl Fellowships
The Nicholl Fellowships program has awarded 191 fellowships since its inception in 1986, emphasizing the Academy's commitment to fostering emerging talent in the film industry. The program not only supports the development of feature-length screenplays but also archives the works of fellows in the Academy Collection, ensuring their accessibility for future generations.
What's Next
The fellows will engage in various events, including pitch workshops and media training sessions, as part of their fellowship experience. The Academy continues to champion new voices in storytelling, reinforcing its role in the evolution of the film industry.
