Breaking: Jessica Sanders Named 2025 Lynn Shelton Of A Certain Age Grant Recipient
In a major late-year advancement for independent cinema, the Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) and Duplass Brothers Productions have announced Jessica Sanders as the 2025 recipient of the Lynn Shelton Of A Certain Age Grant. The program, now in its sixth year, awards a $25,000 unrestricted grant to a U.S.-based woman, nonbinary, or transgender filmmaker aged 39 or older who has yet to direct a narrative feature.
The grant aims to celebrate distinctive voice, storytelling, and creative singularity. Sanders,an Oscar-nominated filmmaker for the short Sing! (2002),and a recognized winner across Sundance,SXSW,and Cannes,will use the funds to support the production of her debut narrative feature,I Want to Feel Fun-a Los Angeles-set,improvised comedy weaving intersecting stories of love,longing,and everyday connection.
The project began life as a short that premiered at the 2025 Tribeca festival,signaling a promising trajectory from festival favorite to feature-length work.sanders described the forthcoming film as an improvisational festivity of creativity, fun, and texture in life, blending renowned comedic sensibilities with authentic, everyday people across the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
“It is an honor to receive this grant. Lynn Shelton was a filmmaking pioneer and a major inspiration to me. I feel her spirit lives in this film, which is totally improvised and crafted to celebrate life’s humor and texture.”
Sanders was chosen from a pool of nine finalists. The other candidates included Andrea Maxwell, Erin Brown Thomas, Lana Wilson, Radha Mehta, Fatemeh Hosseini, Masami Kawai, Esther Casas Roura, and celine Tricart.The selection committee comprised industry professionals Miciana Alise, Olivia Newman, and Suzi Yoonessi, with NWFF and grant manager Emily Zimmerman guiding the process.
Last year’s recipient was Jing Zou for A Girl Unknown, a project that remains in development. The grant’s ongoing support underscores NWFF and DBP’s commitment to midcareer women and nonbinary filmmakers who are ready to transition from short-form to feature storytelling.
Key Facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grant name | Lynn Shelton Of A Certain Age Grant |
| Recipient | Jessica Sanders |
| Amount | $25,000 (unrestricted) |
| Eligibility | U.S.-based women, nonbinary, or transgender filmmakers, 39+; no narrative feature directed yet |
| Organizers | |
| Project | I Want to Feel Fun (debut narrative feature) |
| Origin of project | Begins as a short that premiered at Tribeca Festival 2025 |
| Finalists | Andrea Maxwell; Erin Brown Thomas; Lana Wilson; Radha Mehta; Fatemeh Hosseini; Masami Kawai; esther Casas Roura; Celine tricart; Jessica Sanders |
| Selection committee | Miciana Alise, Olivia Newman, Suzi Yoonessi |
| Grant manager | Emily Zimmerman |
| Last year’s recipient | Jing Zou for A Girl Unknown (in development) |
What This Means for the Indie Scene
The Lynn Shelton Of A Certain Age Grant continues to serve as a vital bridge for midcareer creators seeking their first feature-length release. By providing essential financing and visibility, the program helps filmmakers like Sanders translate festival momentum into a sustained cinematic voice. The award’s emphasis on improvisation and personal storytelling resonates with current trends in independent cinema that prize flexible production models and authentic, character-driven narratives.
For audiences, the grant signals a broader array of voices entering the feature landscape, with the potential for new, texture-rich comedies and dramas that reflect diverse experiences in American cities. As Sanders advances I Want to Feel Fun toward production, industry watchers will be watching how the project translates its improvised ethos into a finished work that balances humor with heartfelt observation.
Two Reader Prompts
What impact do you think such targeted grants have on opportunities for midcareer filmmakers? Share examples or experiences you’ve observed in the independent film landscape.
Which finalist project or filmmaker would you like to see come to life next,and why?
Stay tuned for more updates as Sanders’s project moves from short to feature,with festival and release plans to be announced in the coming months.
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation about the evolving world of independent film funding.
Jessica Sanders Secures 2025 Lynn Shelton grant for Debut Narrative Feature “I Want to Feel Fun”
What the 2025 Lynn Shelton Grant Entails
- award Amount: $50,000 unrestricted grant for narrative filmmaking.
- Eligibility: Emerging female directors who have completed a short film or screenplay and demonstrate a compelling vision for a feature-length narrative.
- Selection Process:
- Request Review – submitted scripts,mood boards,and director’s statement are evaluated by a panel of industry veterans.
- interview Stage – shortlisted candidates meet virtually with grant jurors for a Q&A.
- final Decision – grant awarded based on artistic merit, feasibility, and potential impact on under‑represented voices in cinema.
“The Lynn Shelton Grant continues to champion bold, authentic storytelling by women creators. Jessica’s project perfectly aligns with our mission to uplift fresh narratives that explore joy and vulnerability.” – Lynn Shelton Grant Committee (Dec 2025)
Jessica sanders – Emerging Voice in Autonomous Cinema
- Background: Graduate of USC School of Cinematic Arts; former assistant director on acclaimed indie dramas “Midnight Loop” (2022) and “The Quiet Room” (2023).
- Short Film Accolades:
- “Sunset in June” – Jury award, SXSW 2024.
- “paper Planes” – Best Narrative Short, AFI Fest 2024.
- Industry Recognition: Named “One to Watch” by IndieWire (2024) and featured in Filmmaker Magazine‘s “Rising Female Filmmakers” profile (2025).
“I Want to Feel Fun” – Project Synopsis
- Genre: Coming‑of‑age dramedy with a focus on mental‑health realism.
- logline: A 27‑year‑old graphic designer in Portland battles burnout and discovers unexpected joy through an impromptu community improv class.
- Key Themes:
- The pursuit of authentic happiness.
- Intersection of creativity and therapy.
- Community resilience in the Pacific Northwest.
- Script Highlights:
- Written by Sanders (final draft completed Jan 2025).
- Structured in three acts, 108 pages, rated PG‑13.
How the Grant Fuels Production
| Production Element | Budget Allocation (Estimated) | Impact with Grant Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑production | $12,000 | Script polishing, casting sessions, location scouting across Portland. |
| Principal Photography | $22,000 | 20‑day shoot with 30‑person crew, equipment rental, production insurance. |
| Post‑Production | $10,000 | Editing suite, color grading, original soundtrack composition. |
| Festival Strategy | $6,000 | Submission fees for Sundance, SXSW, tribeca; marketing materials, D‑press kits. |
| Contingency | $0 (grant fully allocated) | Tight budget control ensures maximum creative output. |
Production Timeline – From Script to Screen
- February 2026 – Final Pre‑Production
- Cast confirmations, crew hire, production design lock‑downs.
- March 2026 – Principal Photography
- 20‑day shoot; daily on‑set reviews to maintain tonal consistency.
- April-May 2026 – Post‑Production
- Rough cut (early April), fine cut (mid‑May), final picture lock (late May).
- June 2026 – Sound Design & Score
- Collaboration with indie composer Maya Lee for original music.
- July 2026 – Festival Submissions
- early entry to Sundance (deadline oct 2026) and SXSW (deadline Aug 2026).
Expected Festival Circuit & Distribution path
- Primary Targets: Sundance film festival (U.S. Dramatic Competition),SXSW Film Festival (Narrative Spotlight),Tribeca Film Festival (Finding Section).
- Secondary Markets: Toronto international Film Festival (TIFF) – Industry Screening,Berlin International Film Festival – Panorama.
- Distribution Outlook:
- Pursue acquisition deals with specialty distributors (e.g., A24, Neon).
- Parallel VOD strategy via IndieFlix and curated streaming platforms focused on female‑driven content.
Benefits of Winning the Lynn Shelton Grant
- Financial Validation: Enables full‑scale production without reliance on high‑interest loans or equity investors.
- Mentorship Access: Quarterly mentorship sessions with past Lynn Shelton Grant winners and industry mentors.
- Visibility boost: Featured on the Lynn Shelton Grant website, newsletter, and social channels (combined reach >250k followers).
- Network Expansion: Invitation to annual grant Fellows Mixer-possibility to connect with producers, festival programmers, and fellow filmmakers.
Practical Tips for Independent Filmmakers Seeking Grants
- craft a Strong Director’s Statement – Highlight personal connection to the story and the impact you aim to achieve.
- Showcase Prior Work – Include festival‑selected shorts or proof‑of‑concept reels to demonstrate execution capability.
- Break down the Budget – Obvious line‑item budgets reassure grant committees of fiscal duty.
- Leverage Community Support – Letters of endorsement from local arts organizations can strengthen the application.
- Follow Submission Guidelines Rigorously – Missing documents or formatting errors are common reasons for disqualification.
Recent Lynn Shelton Grant Success Stories
- 2023 – Maya Patel, “Echoes of Home” – Secured $45k, premiered at SXSW, later acquired by Netflix.
- 2024 – Lila Chen, “Starlight Alley” – Received $50k, won Audience Award at Tribeca, released theatrically through A24.
- 2025 – Jessica Sanders, “I Want to Feel Fun” – Current grant recipient; anticipated to follow in the footsteps of past winners with a strong festival presence and potential distribution deal.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Lynn Shelton Grant provides Jessica Sanders with the financial backbone to bring “I Want to Feel Fun” from script to screen.
- Strategic budgeting, a clear production timeline, and targeted festival submissions position the film for critical recognition and distribution opportunities.
- For emerging filmmakers, the grant exemplifies how focused storytelling, proven short‑form work, and meticulous grant applications can unlock major industry doors.