117th NAACP National Convention

CINEMATIC SHORTS COMPETITION

In Partnership with

Film as Activism

The 2026 Cinematic Shorts Competition in partnership with Adobe, will take place during the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago, IL from July 16th – 22nd. This exciting competition will give SIX (6) filmmakers the opportunity to produce a short film addressing issues of social justice. The winning filmmakers will each be awarded a $10K grant to produce a short film in conjunction with the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and NAACP+ Studios.

In addition, ALL the filmmakers in this year's cohort will receive an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the 58th NAACP Image Awards, where they will walk the red carpet, and attend informational meetings with industry executives.

Apply By April 17

Competition Details

All you need to know about the 2026 Cinematic Shorts Competition.

In order to participate in the Cinematic Shorts Competition, filmmakers:
- Must be between the ages of 18-29 by April 17, 2026.
- Must submit one creative sample (short film, commercial or photography) that demonstrates your skill set as a filmmaker.
- Must submit a written personal biography 150-200 words.
- Must submit a written statement between 250-300 words answering ONE of the essay questions on the application.
- Must provide your own transportation to and from Chicago, IL for the competition. (Local hotel accommodations will be provided for selected filmmakers/activists).
Paired in teams of two, the filmmakers will receive equipment and work under the guidance of a professional mentor to produce a 5-7 minute short film. The short films can be narrative, documentary or avant-garde; and will explore one of the following topics:
- Race & Justice
- Health & Well-Being
- Environmental Climate Justice
- Inclusive Economy
- Education Innovation
- Next Generation Leadership
At the conclusion of the 117th Convention, participating filmmakers will present their finished short films and convention attendees will vote for their favorite film. The winners will be announced at the Spingarn Awards Dinner.
The winning filmmakers will each be awarded a $10K budget to produce a short film in conjunction with the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and NAACP+ Studios.
In addition, ALL the filmmakers in this year's cohort will receive an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the 58th NAACP Image Awards, where they will walk the red carpet, and attend informational meetings with industry executives.
Apply by April 17 >>

Meet the 2026 Filmmakers

Clive Anthony - Brooklyn, NY

Clive Anthony is a Jamaican-born filmmaker whose work explores family, identity, and belonging through storytelling informed by his immigrant experience and a deep appreciation for global cinema. A graduate of Columbia University with departmental honors in Film and Media Studies, he currently leads community engagement at Film at Lincoln Center. His latest short film, Not a Word, is on the festival circuit, having screened at the Black Harvest Film Festival and the New York Short Film Festival.

Tori Carroll - Detroit, MI

Tori Carroll is a Detroit-based screenwriter and video editor committed to elevating Black stories and history. She earned a BFA in Film and Television from DePaul University and graduate certificates in Digital Video Production and Athletic Coaching from Florida State University. A former four-time Division I conference champion, Tori combines athletics and storytelling through her web series, Dear Black Woman Athlete. She has edited content for organizations including Foxxtecca, Black Tech Saturdays, and Invest Detroit, and is currently developing her narrative short film, Nose Wide.

Jade Hunter - Pittsgrove, NJ

Jade Hunter is a filmmaker from New Jersey and MFA candidate in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California. Working across producing, directing, and writing, she creates stories that center Black voices with authenticity and care. Her short films include Until We're Free, Pageant Lens, and Xara. Jade's experience spans independent films, the BET Awards at Paramount, the Webby Award–winning series Quest for Qraft, and project development at Prophecy Pictures. She also mentors emerging filmmakers through Ghetto Film School.

Eli Moss - Chicago, IL

Eli Moss is an award-winning writer and director whose films explore the intersection of sound, image, and truth. Raised on Chicago's South Side, his work is rooted in intimate stories of identity and resilience, using visuals and sound not just to depict life, but to bear witness to it. He is a writer and director at Unashamed Media Group, a Lilly Foundation grant-recipient production company with work spanning Chicago to West Africa. Two projects are slated for release in 2026. Moss holds degrees from Morehouse College and Loyola Marymount University.

A.B. Oddman - Los Angeles, CA

A. B. Oddman is a Jamaican-American filmmaker whose work celebrates the cultural intersections that shape everyday life. As a writer, director, and producer, their films have been recognized by the American Black Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, and NewFilmmakers LA. A 2025 Academy Gold Rising alumnus and Black Film Space mentee, Oddman is mentored by producer Effie Brown and filmmaker Armani Martin. They earned a B.A. from Stanford University and recently completed an MFA in Film & Television Production at USC as a George Lucas Scholar.

Collin Riggins - Bronx, NY

Collin Riggins is a filmmaker and analog photographer from Kansas City, now based in the Bronx. A 2024 graduate of Princeton University's African American Studies and Visual Arts departments, his work explores heritage, historical memory, social landscapes, and imagined futures. His projects have been exhibited at MoCADA, The Hessel Museum, and Magnum Foundation. He is currently directing and producing a documentary for Kansas City PBS. Collin also co-founded IMAG(in)E, a free film photography program for high school students in the Bronx.

2025 Behind the Scenes