LOS ANGELES – July 14, 2026 – As reported in the Hollywood Reporter, Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) today announced the mentors for its 2026 Rising Director Fellowship, bringing together an acclaimed group of filmmakers who will guide this year’s class. For the first time in the Fellowship’s history, the program will include dedicated producing mentors, providing fellows with an even more comprehensive understanding of the process from development through production.
The 2026 directing mentors are Zach Cregger (RESIDENT EVIL), Issa López (True Detective: Night Country), Jay Duplass (THE BALTIMORONS), Andrew Ahn (The Wedding Banquet), Valerie Faris (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), and Josephine Decker (SHIRLEY). Joining the program as the inaugural producing mentors are Barbara Muschietti (Welcome To Derry), Emily V. Gordon (Sex Criminals), Win Rosenfeld (NOPE), Andrea Sperling (Something Very Bad is Going to Happen), Julia Hammer (TOGETHER), and Tony Yang (LUCKY LU).
The six Rising Director fellows who were previously announced are: Aeryn Michelle Williams (Umbrella Academy, Harlem), Alexandra Hsu (Sophie, Our Way Home), Ann Marie Pace (Growing Fangs, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), Marcella Ochoa (Hour of Blood, My Name is Maria de Jesus), Taylor Lee Nagel (Lady Liberty, If You Can Ever Get Back), and Tijuana Ricks (All Souls, The Corps).
Kylie Eaton, Executive Director of the Alliance of Women Directors said, “The Rising Director Fellowship has always been about creating meaningful relationships between emerging directors and accomplished filmmakers. This year, we’re adding another layer by bringing producers into the program. By pairing our fellows with both extraordinarily talented directing and producing mentors, we’re giving them a broader perspective on how projects come together and equipping them with invaluable insights into the collaborative process that drives successful filmmaking.”
AWD’s Rising Director Fellowship is designed to support directors as they navigate the transition to larger-scale projects and advance their careers in film and television.
Since its inception, the AWD Rising Director Fellowship has helped elevate emerging filmmakers by fostering mentorship, community, and career advancement opportunities that strengthen pathways for women and underrepresented directors in the entertainment industry. In addition to the Rising Director Fellowship, the organization hosts numerous events and fellowships throughout the year including AWD’s Back to Set: Working Directors Intensive, #MentorLatinaDirectors Fellowship, AWD’s Directing the Actor Lab, and Black Directors Advancement Initiative. These important programs are aimed to educate directors, create connections and build community.