Cal State LA has been selected as a partner for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.
This international program, which identifies and nurtures talented new screenwriters, will now exclusively partner with global university programs, screenwriting labs, and filmmaker programs to select Nicholl Fellows.
“It is a thrill for our program to be invited to partner with the prestigious and internationally renowned Nicholl Fellowship,” said Randee Trabitz, director of the MFA program in TV, Film, and Theatre in the College of Arts and Letters at Cal State LA. “Their funding for new screenwriters with career-making visibility offers a singular opportunity for our MFA students and graduates, and I couldn’t be more grateful and excited about our upcoming partnership.”
The MFA program brings the three creative arms of the entertainment industry—acting, content creation, and writing—together in cohorts. It is housed in the state-of-the-art Television, Film and Media Center on the Cal State LA campus. Hollywood’s top producers, directors, screenwriters, and actors often serve as university guest speakers and mentors.
Cal State LA is one of only 33 universities, institutes, and organizations to be selected for this prestigious partnership this year. Each partner will vet and submit scripts for consideration for an Academy Nicholl Fellowship, and The Black List will serve as a portal for public submissions. All scripts submitted by partners will be read and reviewed by Academy members.
“Cal State LA is honored to be included in this wonderful list of global programs. The Academy Nicholl Fellowship partnership will provide both inspiration and opportunity for our talented screenwriters,” said Kristiina Hackel, professor and chair of the Department of TV, Film, and Media Studies.
Nicholl Fellows will receive support from the Academy and mentorship from an Academy member throughout their fellowship year. They will also participate in a week of virtual seminars, a virtual meet and greet with the Nicholl Fellowships committee, and in-person networking events.
Fellows additionally will receive ongoing career advancement support through the Gold Alumni Program, which provides continued access, opportunity, professional development, and education for alumni of the Academy’s talent development programs.
Partner script submissions to the Academy will open in late July, and the deadline will be in late August. Nicholl Fellows will be awarded in spring 2026.
Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that recipients will complete feature-length screenplays during their fellowship year. The Academy acquires no rights to the works of Nicholl Fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.
The Nicholl Fellowships were established in 1985 through the support of Gee Nicholl in memory of her husband, Don Nicholl. One hundred eighty-six fellowships have been awarded since 1986.
“As part of the globalization of the Academy and to deepen our relationship with educational partners around the U.S. and the world, we are excited to evolve the Nicholl Fellowships program to include a stronger connection to universities, screenwriting labs and filmmaker programs and their incredible pool of emerging talent,” said Howard Berger, Academy governor and president of the Academy Foundation Board. “Our commitment to discovering and supporting new voices remains stronger than ever, and I’m thankful to my fellow Academy members for dedicating their time and expertise to support this mission.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of more than 10,500 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars®. The Academy also inspires young artists and creates opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage with the film world.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
