FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Seanna Hore, Ginsberg/Libby
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Gladys Santos, Ginsberg/Libby
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LOS ANGELES (July 1, 2026) – Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, will honor three Film Independent alumni whose work has helped shape the independent film and television landscape with the 2026 Film Independent Changemaker Awards. Filmmaker Alysa Nahmias (Cookie Queens), filmmaker Robbie Pickering (Gaslit) and editor Harry Yoon (Michael) will be recognized at the 23rd Artist Development Showcase, an annual celebration of short films made by Film Independent supported filmmakers, on July 21, 2026 at the Directors Guild of America Theater.

Each year, the Changemaker honorees represent the lasting impact of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs through their body of work and contributions uplifting future generation of artists. Each honoree is a Film Independent Fellow, an alumnus of the Artist Development programs. Alysa Nahmias participated in the 2013 Fast Track finance market and the 2020 Documentary Lab. Robbie Pickering was supported in the 2006 Screenwriting Lab, the 2007 Directing Lab and the 2007 Fast Track finance market. Harry Yoon is an alumnus of Project Involve in 2004. Recipients are selected by the Artist Development team.

“We are proud to celebrate visionary artists whose bold storytelling expands our cultural landscape and whose commitment to mentorship ensures a vibrant future,” said Angela C. Lee, Director of Artist Development. “Alysa Nahmias, Robbie Pickering and Harry Yoon exemplify artistic excellence, generosity and impact, demonstrating what it means to lead as changemakers in our industry.

Established in 2023 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Film Independent Artist Development, the Changemaker Awards embody the organization’s mission to champion independent voices and create impactful, positive change. These awards highlight the extraordinary work of Film Independent program alumni, whose body of work and commitment to giving back have made far-reaching impact – both within the industry and in their communities.

Previous recipients include Academy Award nominees Smriti Mundhra and Pamela Ribon; Film Independent Spirit Award nominee Tze Chun and winners Andrew Ahn and Jomo Fray; Peabody Award winner Grace Lee; SXSW Audience Award winner Linda Yvette Chávez; Sundance Director of Programming Kim Yutani and Hartbeat Vice President of Films Aaron T. Edmonds.

Alysa Nahmias is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of AJNA Films. Her directing credits include Cookie Queens, which recently premiered at Sundance and won the SXSW Festival Favorite Audience Award, the Emmy-winning Art & Krimes by Krimes for MTV Docs/Paramount+, and Unfinished Spaces, which won a 2012 Film Independent Spirit Award and is in the MoMA collection. Alysa’s producing credits include Wildcat and Unrest, among others. She is a frequent advisor for Sundance Catalyst, Film Independent labs and Global Media Makers, and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and a Co-Founder of FWD-Doc.

Robbie Pickering is an American screenwriter, director and producer. He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the Starz limited series Gaslit (2022), and for writing and directing the award-winning independent film Natural Selection (2011). He has also written on Search Party and Mr. Robot.

Harry Yoon is a Korean American editor based in Los Angeles. Yoon received an ACE Eddie Award for his work on the pilot for Beef, the A24 and Netflix series starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. Yoon edited the Academy and Golden Globe Award-winning feature Minari for director Lee Isaac Chung, which earned him an ACE Eddie nomination. His feature editing credits include the biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua; The Fire Inside, directed by Rachel Morrison; Detroit, directed by Kathryn Bigelow; Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton; and Thunderbolts*, directed by Jake Schreier. Yoon also worked on the first season of the HBO and A24 series Euphoria, created by Sam Levinson.

The Artist Development Showcase is held every summer to spotlight a selection of talented work our Film Independent Artist Development Fellows continue to create. The films screening at this year’s showcase, as well as the Film Independent Fellows attached, include:
 
Dolce – “Fräknarna”
Director, J.M. Harper (Amplifier Fellowship 2025, Episodic Directing Intensive 2026)

A music video for Dolce’s song “Fräknarna”.

God Sleeps on Sundays
Writer/Director, Naishe Nyamubaya (International Programs 2024, Fast Track 2024); Producer, Sue-Ellen Chitunya (Project Involve 2016, Grant Recipient 2016, Producing Lab 2020, Amplifier Fellowship 2023, Fast Track 2024)

A fierce rivalry erupts between a traditional healer and a Christian preacher who is hellbent on building his church on her land.

Haint
Producer, Selena Leoni (Project Involve 2021); Cinematographer, Joewi Verhoeven (Project Involve 2024)

When gentrifiers mysteriously begin to die, a Gullah Geechee handywoman who recently lost her home must decide whether to help them or leave the newcomers to their fate.

Living with a Visionary
Producer, Mireia Vilanova (Project Involve 2021)

After 50 years of marriage, John must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid hallucinations.

Permanent Guest
Writer/Director/Producer, Sana Zahra Jafri (International Programs 2023)

A young woman’s world is rattled by the arrival of a relative who forces her to weigh family obligations against her growing discomfort.

The What
Writer/Director/Producer, Christopher Nataanii Cegielski (Project Involve 2016, Grant Recipient 2016, Episodic Directing Intensive 2026)

A routine job for two hitmen unravels when one of them recognizes the target as someone who ghosted him months ago.
 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms and foster a culture of inclusion, in support of a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs. Signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Weekly Education events and workshops equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. International programs provide cultural exchanges and career-building opportunities for film professionals around the world. And year-round screening series Film Independent Presents offers a robust program of unique cinematic experiences, including screenings, conversations, Live Reads and Bring the Noise musical events.

For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.