AFI is thrilled to announce that the AFI DWW+ program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2025-2026. AFI DWW+ is a year-long directing workshop that educates traditionally underrepresented narrative filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the program was launched in 1974 as the Directing Workshop for Women and is one of the longest-running and preeminent film and television workshops in the world. Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Lee Grant, Jessie Maple and Cicely Tyson were among the program’s earliest participants. Since then, DWW+ has trained over 350 filmmakers including notable industry leaders and luminaries including current Peabody Award winner Neema Barnette, Emmy Award®-nominated director Dime Davis, DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter and Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Siân Heder.
“AFI DWW+ is an imperative force for creating change in the entertainment industry. We are thrilled to be celebrating 50 years of impact and championing gender parity in the director’s chair,” said Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and Executive Vice President of the American Film Institute. “We look forward to expanding opportunities for emerging directors whose voices might otherwise go unheard and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.”
The program will accept up to eight outstanding candidates who demonstrate a passion for visual storytelling, the tenacity to pursue a directorial career and a willingness to learn and grow, among other program requirements. DWW+ is taught by film and television professionals working at top levels within the industry, as well as experienced Faculty from the AFI Conservatory. At the culmination of the year-long workshop, participants premiere their short films at the DWW+ Showcase in front of a wide network of industry professionals to celebrate their progress as artists.
The application period for the Class of 2025-2026 opens today, August 12, and closes Friday, September 13. More information about the application process and eligibility requirements can be found on Conservatory.AFI.com/DWW-program/.
This year’s AFI DWW+ program is generously supported by Paramount Pictures, The Golden Globe Foundation, NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Studios and The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. Additional support comes from the Rosalind Wyman Living Trust and Robert and Betty Wyman, Jean Picker Firstenberg, Linda Hope, Gale Anne Hurd, The Nancy Malone Living Trust, Luke Pollack and other individual supporters committed to providing opportunities for historically underrepresented voices in the media arts.
As previously announced, AFI launched the DWW 50th Anniversary Honorary Committee in celebration of its milestone anniversary this year. Committee members include the following filmmakers, artists and industry leaders:
-Peabody and Emmy® Award winner Neema Barnette (AFI DWW Class of 1982)
-Award-winning filmmaker and television director Tessa Blake (AFI DWW Class of 2014)
-Academy Award®, Emmy® and Tony® winner Ellen Burstyn (AFI DWW Class of 1974)
-Emmy® nominee Dime Davis (AFI DWW Class of 2015)
-Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® winner Ava DuVernay
-AFI President Emerita Jean Picker Firstenberg
-Emmy® nominee Lesli Linka Glatter (AFI DWW Class of 1982)
-Academy Award® and Emmy® winner Lee Grant (AFI DWW Class of 1974)
-Academy Award® winner Siân Heder (AFI DWW Class of 2005)
-Emmy® winner Linda Hope
-Acclaimed producer Gale Anne Hurd
-Academy Award® nominee and former Chair and CEO of Paramount Pictures Sherry Lansing
-Emmy® nominee Eva Longoria
-Academy Award® winner Chloé Zhao
Additional events and activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the prestigious directing program will be announced soon.
AFI DWW+ is part of the AFI Conservatory’s Department of Innovative Programs, which also includes the Cinematography Intensive for Women. Through a range of learning opportunities, Innovative Programs serves a diverse community of aspiring visual storytellers to cultivate cutting-edge technological and media-making skills, bridge access to professional networks and place participants on an upward career trajectory. Learn more at Conservatory.AFI.com/Innovative-Programs/.
