Adobe is pledging close to $10 million in grants and product donations this year to support filmmakers, including funding creators directly for the first time.
The software company’s film and TV fund, which has created in 2024, will continue to support film and TV productions through community partners, as well as the newly announced support directly from Adobe, with recipients nominated by industry and community organizations.
Community organizations that will receive funding from the 2026 Film & TV Fund include Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively’s Group Effort Initiative, USC Annenberg School of Communications, NAACP, Gold House and Sundance Ignite, as well as new partnership with Rideback RISE, which helps mid-career artists of color make commercial film and television projects, and “Chicken Shop” creators Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Dimz Inc. Academy.
Dimoldenberg’s free summer program provides 18- to 24-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds training in ideation, storytelling, production, video editing and more. After a one-week pilot last year, the program will now expand to a four-week workshop with continued support.
“I feel really fortunate that my experience in a youth run project laid the foundation for the career I have today. That’s what I hope to be able to do for others with Dimz Inc. Academy. With last year’s pilot program under our belt, I’m excited for us to carry on creating something truly impactful this year with the generous support of Adobe. They’re a dream partner because they really understand the importance of supporting creatives and they make the tools needed to do so — which have helped me so much in my own journey,” Dimoldenberg said.
The company is also expanding its support of the Sundance and Adobe Ignite Fellowship, which is a development program for emerging filmmakers ages 18 to 25, with a new short film fund for Ignite alumni.
The announcement comes ahead of the Sundance Film Festival, where four benefactors from the fund are premiering projects: Stephanie Ahn, writer-director, Bedford Park (supported via Gold House); Daniel Chavez, editor, American Pachuco (supported via Rideback Rise); Monica Salazar, editor, Marga en el DF (supported via Rideback RISE); and Anooya Swamy, director, Pankaja (Adobe x Ignite fellow).
“Sundance has always been where bold new voices come alive through storytelling, which is why Adobe has been a proud partner for 15 years. Having eight of our Film & TV Fund grantees and Ignite fellows premiere this year is a powerful reminder of what creators can achieve when they’re given real support. With nearly $10M dedicated to filmmakers this year, we’re committed to making sure filmmakers of all backgrounds have the tools, training, and resources they need to bring their visions to life and shape the future of filmmaking,” said Amy White, global head of corporate social responsibility, Adobe.