Tyler Perry is opening the gates—literally and figuratively—with the launch of the Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective, a bold new program created to find, fund, and fuel the next generation of filmmakers, especially those whose voices are too often overlooked or unheard.
Applications open April 17, and let’s just say, this isn’t your average incubator.
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Rooted in storytelling and rooted in access, the Dream Collective is all about giving up-and-coming creatives what so many in the industry desperately need but rarely get: real support, hands-on experience, and a chance to bring their vision to life with mentorship from folks who’ve actually been in the trenches.
“For a long time, it’s been on my heart to create a program where I could take what I’ve learned in this business and share it with others,” Perry shared. “This is about access. Breaking into the industry can be tough—believe me. When I started making movies twenty years ago, even though my stage plays were selling out, nobody in Hollywood knew my name or gave me a shot. The Dream Collective is my dream of opening the door for the next generation of artists.”
Let’s break it down.
So, how does the Dream Collective work?
It’s a multi-round process that leads to real dollars, real development, and real exposure:
Round 1 – The Submission Window (April 17 – May 1, 2025):
Filmmakers will submit past work and materials that showcase their vision and voice. Only 1,000 submissions will be accepted. From there, 100 finalists will be selected.
Round 2 – The Virtual Sessions:
The 100 finalists will take part in a four-week online intensive filled with masterclasses, mentorship, and community-building sessions. From creative collaboration to on-set storytelling war stories, this round is all about education and inspiration.
Round 3 – The Script Round:
After soaking in that game, the 100 finalists will submit their short film scripts and materials. The top 10 filmmakers will be selected to move forward.
Round 4 – The Studio Experience:
The 10 selected creators will head to Tyler Perry Studios for a 10-day immersive workshop in July/August 2025. They’ll direct scenes, work with actors and department heads, and shape their films in a real studio environment. From there, they’ll pitch their film and the vision behind it. The top five will be chosen as Grand Prize Winners.
Round 5 – The Greenlight:
Those five winners will each receive $30,000 from Tyler Perry Studios to bring their short film to life. They’ll also get access to local crew, studio resources, and ongoing mentorship while filming this fall in the greater Atlanta area.
And Perry isn’t doing it alone.
Former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Dawn Hudson is helping lead the charge. “After I left the Academy, Tyler and I talked about how much harder it’s getting to break into the industry,” she said. “Film schools are expensive, connections matter too much, and it’s easy to feel locked out. We created this program to crack the door open—and then knock it off the hinges.”
Also on board is industry veteran Nekisa Cooper, who’s overseeing Program Design & Production. “There’s more opportunity in film and TV than ever before, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” she said. “This program is about skill-building, habit-building, and giving people the tools to build a sustainable career.”
Why This Matters
If you’ve ever tried to break into Hollywood without a trust fund or a Rolodex full of producers, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. Film schools can leave you in debt. Unpaid gigs can leave you burnt out. And trying to self-fund your dreams? That’s a mountain few can climb alone.
What the Dream Collective does is give underrepresented voices not just a seat at the table—but the tools to build their own.
So if you’ve got a story to tell, a camera in hand, and a fire in your belly, mark your calendars for April 17. Tyler Perry just might be opening the door you’ve been knocking on.
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