The inaugural Filmable x Collective Bunch Fellowship has officially come to a close, and TBH, we are feeling incredibly proud and deeply inspired by this community.
When we launched this 5-month intensive, our goal wasn't just to run another program—it was to create a community-led initiative that champions BC filmmakers, supports underrepresented storytellers, strengthens BC projects, and builds an impactful network of community resources right here in our backyard. We were blown away by the response: nearly 65 applications were received.
Clearly, the demand for these types of initiatives is high! A sign that the filmmakers of BC have stories to tell, and we need to organize as a community to make them as strong as possible.
None of this would have been possible without the visionary support of our partners and sponsors. A massive, heartfelt thank you to The Collective Bunch, The Federal Government of Canada, partner organizations, Mentors and community members for investing in the future of our local filmmakers and helping us bring this vision to life.
Here’s a look back at what we built together in our first season, the milestones hit, and where our community goes next.
Real Growth Across Two Streams
The 2025/2026 Cohort
We split the fellowship into two distinct tracks so we could meet filmmakers exactly where they were at, focusing on practical skills and direct industry access.
THE FEATURE STREAM
Four feature film projects were chosen by our jury. Each team was paired with two dedicated mentors each, specifically matched to help them navigate the unique hurdles of their projects.
Over the 5 months, these teams didn't just talk about their scripts—they did the heavy lifting to get them closer to production. Together with their mentors, they refined their pitches, demystified confusing aspects of the industry, broadened their networks and got their work directly in front of industry decision-makers.
These teams were:
Son of a Bitch:
Writer/Director: Brodi-Jo Scalise
Pickled Rabbit:
Writer/Director:Julie Zhu
Writer/Producer: Joshua Bateman
Deep Fake:
Writer: Ariel Bond
Director: Miranda MacDougall
Producer: Lucy McNulty
Hey Jude:
Writer/Director: Jess McLeod
Writer/Lead: JayR Tinaco
Producer: Erin Purghart
Producer: Isabel Deluce
THE PRODUCTION STREAM
Seven incredibly talented mentees stepped up to sharpen their technical and structural career paths. They were paired with dual mentors to talk through career strategy, technical craft, and navigating the day-to-day realities of the industry.
Thanks to our strong relationship with many of the local Commercial Production companies, our production mentees got to shadow seasoned cinematographers right here on local commercial sets. There's no substitute for real-world experience, hands-on learning and tangible industry connections. We tip our hats to Boldly, Kiddo, East Cherry, Dear Friend and, post-production company, Outsider for helping us connect our mentees with their on-set mentors.
Keep an eye out for these exciting filmmakers:
Editor: Cameron MacKenzie
Directors of Photography:
Karina Jesson
Kevin Masundire
Morgan Tams
Nick Shahfazlollahi
Rachel Chen
Sebastian Marin
In Their Own Words: Alumni Reflections
The Pickled Rabbit Team
Here is what some of our inaugural alumni had to say about their time with us:
"The Filmable Fellowship was one of the most meaningful and grounding experiences I’ve had in my career. It offers real mentorship, honest insight into the industry, and a community that genuinely supports each other’s growth. I left with stronger tools, clearer direction for my work, and relationships I know will continue well beyond the program."
"The folks at Filmable are putting in the work, and I’m genuinely grateful to have been part of it. The fellowship made me feel supported at a stage when that support really mattered, both creatively and practically. It gave me mentorship, encouragement, and a real sense that my project was being taken seriously and has genuine potential. For an emerging filmmaker, that kind of belief can make a huge difference."
"Our package, knowledge and overall confidence as we wrap up development and move towards applying to labs and finding funding, would not be where it is today without Filmable. It is a game-changing opportunity to improve your project, fill in all your knowledge gaps, and connect with incredible filmmakers and future collaborators."
What's Next?
This is just the beginning.
Our mentees are walking away with sharper projects, deeper technical know-how, and a much larger web of industry allies. More than that, we've shown that an inclusive, community-first film mentorship can actually make a real-world impact in British Columbia.
A massive thank you to our 20 incredible mentors, our program supporters, and every single person in the Vancouver filmmaking community who showed up, leaned in, and supported independent cinema.
Viva la Revolucion!
Want to become a Fellow?
We have just opened applications for Season 2!
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