Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions is bringing back its “No Drama” filmmaker initiative for a second edition, again in partnership with Universal Pictures, with American Cinematheque now joining as a new partner.
The global program, developed by Universal’s Filmmaker & Content Strategies group, launched in 2024 as a one-year, non-exclusive initiative supporting emerging genre filmmakers by connecting them with industry access and the studio’s term-deal producers. The first cohort premiered their short films at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim, with 80% of that inaugural class going on to secure agent or management representation.
At a glance:
- Up to three filmmakers will receive a $50,000 grant to direct their submitted short film scripts
- This year’s submissions must include a feature-length treatment of the short
- Theme: “Fear is universal. Monsters are personal,” redefining horror “across cultures, generations and societies, revealing the monsters we all carry within us”
- No materials generated using AI will be accepted
- Finished shorts will premiere at Beyond Fest 2027
- Monkeypaw and Universal hold a first-look option for further development
- Submissions are open now and close September 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT
“We are thrilled to reunite with Monkeypaw Productions for the ‘No Drama’ initiative to champion the next generation of genre storytellers,” said Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer. “Jordan and his team bring an unmatched expertise and passion to this initiative, making them the ultimate partners to help elevate these new voices.”
Janine Jones-Clark, Universal’s executive VP of filmmaker and content strategies, framed the American Cinematheque partnership as a natural extension of the program’s mission. “Amplifying fresh voices in genre storytelling is a core mission for Universal, which is why we are absolutely thrilled to partner alongside American Cinematheque’s globally renowned Beyond Fest,” she said. “We know this will be an ideal platform to give these rising writer-directors the high-profile visibility needed to launch their careers.”
Grant Moninger, American Cinematheque’s artistic director, echoed that sentiment. “The American Cinematheque has always believed that the future of cinema depends on creating meaningful opportunities for the filmmakers who will shape it,” he said. “We’re thrilled to partner with Universal Film and Monkeypaw Productions on this initiative and to present the finished films at the highest-attended genre film festival in the nation, Beyond Fest. Programs like this allow us to extend our mission beyond celebrating the history of cinema and take an active role in investing in its future.”
The inaugural cohort’s track record has been strong. Ariel Zengotita’s short “Imago” screened at SXSW, while Jared Leaf’s “Spilled Milk” won the Audience Award for short narrative at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival and the HBO Short Film Award at the American Black Film Festival. Leaf and fellow cohort member Chandler Crump were both named to blkscript’s “35 Rising Filmmakers You Should Know” list. Internationally, the Royal Television Society selected Charlie Dennis’s film “The Pigs Underneath” for an exclusive screening, and filmmaker Helena Hawkes was accepted into the Universal Writers Residency program following her time in the cohort.