“Four years into this partnership, we remain inspired by what these Fellows bring to their craft. At Canva, we believe great talent together with the right tools can bring creativity to life, and we’re proud to support the next class as they find their voice and share it with the world,” said Kate Marsden, Global Head of Brand Partnerships and Design School at Canva.
About the 2026-2027 Recipients
Divli Bhat – Producing
Divli Bhat is a film production student at San Jose State University and serves as president of the Film Production Society. She has developed strong skills in directing, producing, screenwriting and post production while contributing to numerous student films in roles ranging from director to assistant director. Her professional experience includes leadership as a Resident Advisor, equipment management in the SJSU Checkout Room and front desk operations at the Career Center, reflecting her strengths in organization, communication and problem-solving. Bhat has worked on award-winning short films such as MARGIE AND MANNEQUIN, taking on key production roles including unit production manager, production coordinator, line producer and first assistant director. She is also a trained SFX makeup artist, a Dean’s Scholar and a certified scuba diver, bringing creativity, discipline and a collaborative spirit to every project she joins.
Elizaveta Kurilova – Screenwriting
Elizaveta Kurilova is a Los Angeles–based writer and director whose work explores themes of identity, loss, intimacy and the fragile boundary between fantasy and reality, where the human condition comes into focus. She has written and directed several short films, including COME SWIM WITH ME, SHEEP and ANTS AND SUGAR, and has also written for institutional programs at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Her creative practice is shaped by a transnational upbringing across Russia and England, and by a deep engagement with cinema, theatre and visual art. Kurilova holds a BA in the History of Art from University College London, where she received the Frances Stracey Prize, and completed the One-Year Conservatory in Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. She has also trained at RADA, the London Film Academy and in mime and photography.
Lauren Moreno – Directing
Lauren Moreno is a third-generation Mexican American filmmaker from the San Fernando Valley whose work centers on exploring the meaning of the human experience. Influenced by filmmakers like Terrence Malick, Chloé Zhao and Andrea Arnold, she creates intimate stories rooted in identity, resilience and connection. Her debut film PALMDALE earned multiple awards and festival selections, following an early breakthrough when her first written film screened at the Official Latino Film Festival. Known for casting non-actors and fostering deeply collaborative sets, she brings raw authenticity and emotional truth to her films. She aims to expand representation of Latino characters while crafting universally resonant stories that reflect the complexity of real life.
Colin Pham – Cinematography
Colin Pham is a Texas-based cinematographer whose work spans narrative film, commercial projects and corporate media, with experience as a director of photography, assistant camera and G&E professional. His approach is grounded in a rigorous understanding of light, exposure and camera mechanics, developed through hands-on work in camera departments and lighting crews across features, shorts and commercial productions. Pham’s cinematography prioritizes storytelling over coverage, aiming to create restrained, human and emotionally precise images that serve character and theme. He has served as director of photography on multiple award-winning short films and has supported larger productions in key technical roles, reflecting both creative leadership and collaborative discipline. Through continued freelance work and formal training in Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas at Austin, Colin is committed to advancing a thoughtful, craft-driven cinematic voice.
Zoey Punteney – Production Design
Zoey Punteney is a graduate of the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, where she gained hands-on experience across screenwriting, directing, production, lighting and editing. With a minor in Studio Art, she strengthened her visual sensibilities through traditional mediums like graphite, acrylics and charcoal, enriching her approach to design and storytelling. She completed a competitive internship with Infosys through the globally top-ranked InStep program, creating professional promotional video content. Before entering the industry, Punteney built a YouTube channel with 10,000 subscribers, sparking her early passion for video creation. Originally from Omaha and open to relocating, she is pursuing opportunities in video editing or production design with the long-term goal of working on major feature films.
Auberin Strickland – Editing
Auberin Strickland is an Alaska-born filmmaker who creates authentic, character-driven stories shaped by the rugged beauty and social vibrancy of his home state. He runs Crooked Footprint Productions with his brother, Dune Strickland, focusing on films that celebrate shared humanity and elevate overlooked narratives. His collaborative experience includes working with filmmakers such as Dmitry Vasyukov, Hunter Nolan, Gina Papabeis, Vickie Curtis, Eyal Levy, Rachel Friedman and Grant Lafferty. Having grown up in Europe and fluent in French, German and Italian, Auberin values diverse perspectives and recognizes the limits of his own. He believes meaningful stories exist everywhere — from quiet moments to major events — and it’s the humanity within them that drives his passion for filmmaking.
