Film Independent’s Artist Development programs are all about uplifting new generations of artists. One of the magical things we’ve found over the 30-plus years of fostering talent, is that so many of those artists want to pay it forward. In 2023 we launched the Changemaker Award to give recognition to alumni of our Artist Development programs whose body of work across film and television has enriched our culture and whose generosity in mentoring the next generation of artists has left a lasting mark in our community.
We’re thrilled to announce that Alysa Nahmias, Robbie Pickering, and Harry Yoon will receive the 2026 Film Independent Changemaker Award.
The three will be honored at the 23rd Artist Development Showcase on July 21, 2026, at the Directors Guild of America Theater, an annual celebration that spotlights new short films from Film Independent Artist Development supported filmmakers.
This year’s class joins past Changemakers like Academy Award nominees Smriti Mundhra and Pamela Ribon, Spirit Award winners Andrew Ahn and Jomo Fray, Peabody winner Grace Lee, and Sundance’s Kim Yutani, among others.
“We are proud to celebrate visionary artists whose bold storytelling expands our cultural landscape and whose commitment to mentorship ensures a vibrant future,” said Angela C. Lee, Director of Artist Development, “Alysa Nahmias, Robbie Pickering and Harry Yoon exemplify artistic excellence, generosity and impact, demonstrating what it means to lead as changemakers in our industry.”
THIS YEAR’S HONOREES
Alysa Nahmias is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of AJNA Films. Her directing credits include Cookie Queens, which recently premiered at Sundance and won the SXSW Festival Favorite Audience Award, the Emmy-winning Art & Krimes by Krimes for MTV Docs/Paramount+ and Unfinished Spaces, which won a 2012 Film Independent Spirit Award and is in the MoMA collection. Alysa’s producing credits include Wildcat and Unrest, among others. She is a frequent advisor for Sundance Catalyst, Film Independent labs and Global Media Makers and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and a Co-Founder of FWD-Doc. Alysa Nahmias participated in the 2013 Fast Track finance market and the 2020 Documentary Lab.
Robbie Pickering is an American screenwriter, director and producer. He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the Starz limited series Gaslit (2022) and for writing and directing the award-winning independent film Natural Selection (2011). He has also written on Search Party and Mr. Robot. Robbie Pickering was supported in the 2006 Screenwriting Lab, the 2007 Directing Lab and the 2007 Fast Track finance market.
Harry Yoon is a Korean American editor based in Los Angeles. Yoon received an ACE Eddie Award for his work on the pilot for Beef, the A24 and Netflix series starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. Yoon edited the Academy and Golden Globe Award-winning feature Minari for director Lee Isaac Chung, which earned him an ACE Eddie nomination. His feature editing credits include the biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, The Fire Inside, directed by Rachel Morrison, Detroit, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, and Thunderbolts*, directed by Jake Schreier. Yoon also worked on the first season of the HBO and A24 series Euphoria, created by Sam Levinson. Harry Yoon is an alumnus of Project Involve in 2004.
SHORTS TAKE THE STAGE
Beyond honoring this year’s Changemakers, the Showcase spotlights — and celebrates — what’s next. This year’s showcase includes six new short films from Film Independent Fellows, each with a unique take from visionary storytellers:
Dolce, “Fräknarna”
Director, J.M. Harper (Amplifier Fellowship 2025, Episodic Directing Intensive 2026)
A music video for Dolce’s song Fräknarna.
God Sleeps on Sundays
Writer/Director, Naishe Nyamubaya (International Programs 2024, Fast Track 2024); Producer, Sue-Ellen Chitunya (Project Involve 2016, 2016 Grant Recipient, Producing Lab 2020, Amplifier Fellowship 2023, Fast Track 2024)
A fierce rivalry erupts between a traditional healer and a Christian preacher who is hellbent on building his church on her land.
Haint
Producer, Selena Leoni (Project Involve 2021); Cinematographer, Joewi Verhoeven (Project Involve 2024)
When gentrifiers mysteriously begin to die, a Gullah Geechee handywoman who recently lost her home, must decide whether to help them or leave the newcomers to their fate.
Living with a Visionary
Producer, Mireira Vilanova (Project Involve 2021)
After 50 years of marriage, John must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid hallucinations.
Permanent Guest
Writer/Director/Producer, Sana Zahra Jafri (International Programs 2023)
A young woman’s world is rattled by the arrival of a relative who forces her to weigh family obligations against her growing discomfort.
The What
Writer/Director/Producer, Christopher Nataanii Cegielski (Project Involve 2016, 2016 Grant Recipient, Episodic Directing Intensive 2026)
A routine job for two hitmen unravels when one of them recognizes the target as someone who ghosted him months ago.
Photos Courtesy: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Sonny Valicenti/Jiwon Park
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