*AUSTIN, TX, Indeed, the world’s #1 job site and a leading hiring platform, together with Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad, and Doménica and Constanza Castro’s 271 Films, announced the 10 filmmakers selected for Season 5 of Rising Voices.
This groundbreaking initiative continues to uncover, invest in, and amplify the voices of emerging filmmakers across the United States, providing a platform for them to explore their unique perspectives on the future of work.
Over the past five years, Indeed has invested over $10 million in the Rising Voices program, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to increasing representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) stories within the entertainment industry.
The Season 5 filmmakers will premiere their short films at the Tribeca Festival in New York City in June 2025. As in past seasons, a 10-person advisory board from Indeed, Hillman Grad, and 271 films reviewed the hundreds of applications received and chose finalists based on the quality and themes of their scripts as well as past work samples.
The selected filmmakers are:
- Julian Doan
- Jahmil Eady
- Jasmine Johnson
- Michael Lei
- Oanh-Nhi Nguyen
- Etzu Shaw
- Tamara Shogaolu
- David Telles
- Sylvie Weber
- Julia Weisberg Cortés
“Rising Voices remains a cornerstone of Hillman Grad’s mission to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists,” said Hillman Grad Founder Lena Waithe and Hillman Grad CEO Rishi Rajani. “This year’s filmmakers represent the future of storytelling, and we are thrilled to partner with Indeed and 271 Films to support their creative journeys. In a time of uncertainty, programs like Rising Voices are essential to ensuring diverse stories continue to thrive.”
“Indeed’s mission is to help people get jobs,” said Indeed CEO Chris Hyams. “The future of work is not yet written. Rising Voices is a platform for historically underrepresented filmmakers to bring a new lens to this story. We are proud to launch Season 5, and can’t wait to see how these extraordinary artists help us to envision a more equitable future for all.”
A recent study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that women of color directed just 3.4% of the top-grossing films in 2023. Rising Voices aims to elevate stories that showcase unique perspectives—this season, 70% of the filmmaker cohort are women, marking a significant step toward equity in the industry.
“Rising Voices exemplifies our commitment to equity and inclusion in all spaces—especially in the arts, where representation can spark societal change,” said Indeed’s Chief People and Sustainability Officer LaFawn Davis. “We are inspired by the creativity of these filmmakers and proud to offer a platform for their diverse perspectives.”
Since its inception in 2020, Rising Voices has created more than 2,500 jobs and earned international recognition at film festivals, including Tribeca Festival, Sundance, and AFI Fest. Films from the first four seasons have received over 200 festival selections and awards in total. Alumni of the program have achieved remarkable success, including directing major TV series, winning prestigious grants, and contributing to the next wave of cinematic innovation.
Indeed’s investment in Rising Voices provides each filmmaker with a production budget of $100,000 to create their short film. Filmmakers receive $10,000 for their writing and directing services and personalized mentorship from Hillman Grad. Justin Riley and Travis Ing oversee the program for Hillman Grad, while Constanza and Doménica Castro produce the films under 271 Films.
“It’s an honor to lead this initiative with Hillman Grad and Indeed. From the start, our goal went beyond producing ten films per season—it was about bridging communities and teams to elevate our industry,” said Constanza and Doménica Castro, co-founders of 271 Films. We’re proud of the groundbreaking impact of the films and the work we’ve created, and it’s been a privilege to collaborate with all of the talented directors, cast, and crew members throughout the years.”
“Rising Voices continues to be a bright spot in the industry,” said Justin Riley, Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Development, and Travis Ing, Director of Development, of Hillman Grad. “This program has had a transformational impact on the careers of past seasons’ filmmakers and has reinforced the power of investing in diverse storytelling.”
Season 5 also introduces a new sustainability component, partnering with Ad Net Zero, a global initiative to reduce the advertising industry’s environmental impact. Indeed and Ad Net Zero are piloting green production practices, with one film receiving a dedicated budget to support sustainable operations during filming.
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