AFI Names Six Canva Fellows for 2026-27
The AFI Conservatory has selected six fellows in producing, screenwriting, directing, production design, cinematography, and editing. Each receives a $40,000 scholarship over their two-year MFA program.
The 2026-27 cohort spans six distinct craft areas, with Divli Bhat, Elizaveta Kurilova, Lauren Moreno, Zoey Punteney, Colin Pham, and Auberin Strickland representing producing, screenwriting, directing, production design, cinematography, and editing respectively. These individuals commenced their graduate studies at the Conservatory this past August.
Each selected fellow is enrolled in a two-year Master of Fine Arts track. The scholarship award totals $40,000 per recipient, distributed across the duration of their studies, providing significant financial backing for their advanced training.
This fellowship program could influence the future landscape of American cinema by providing substantial financial relief to emerging filmmakers, allowing them to focus on creative development rather than economic burdens. The selected individuals may go on to shape industry standards in their respective crafts. Audiences could ultimately benefit from a more diverse and technically skilled generation of storytellers, as these fellows' future projects might reach mainstream and independent screens alike.