2026 FELLOWSHIP — THE FLAHERTY

2026 Fellowship — The Flaherty 2026 FLAHERTY FELLOWSHIP The 2026 Flaherty Fellowship program will welcome a cohort of 15 in-person Fellows in Vermont and 15 online Fellows, offering an immersive experience during the 71st Flaherty Seminar. We seek Fellows who demonstrate a strong commitment to community engagement in their profession, practice, or field of study. Agnès Varda leads a discussion at the 1976 Flaherty Film Seminar, programmed by Caroline Hennig Applications for the 2026 Flaherty Fellowship are now open. The deadline for Fellowship applications is Tuesday, June 9, at 11:59 PM ET. Fellowship spots are highly competitive. Apply About the 2026 Flaherty Fellowship The 2026 Fellowship program will run from Wednesday, October 7, through Saturday, October 10. In-person Fellows should plan to arrive in Vermont by Noon ET on Wednesday, October 7, and depart on Sunday, October 11. Participation as a Fellow in the 71st Flaherty Film Seminar includes: • Pre-Seminar Onboarding – Online sessions led by the Fellowship team to introduce Fellows to the program structure and expectations. • Seminar Experience – Online and in-person Fellows will receive complimentary registration to the 71st Flaherty Seminar. • Fellows’ Screenings & Presentations – Opportunities to share your work with an intimate audience of Seminar programmers and artists. • Engagement with Seminar artists – meeting opportunities and discussions with featured artists and special guests. Additional Support for In-Person Fellows: • Lodging and meals for the duration of the Seminar Please note: The Fellowship does not cover the cost of travel to and from Vermont. Selected Fellows are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the Seminar venue. The 2024 In-Person Flaherty Fellows at the Thai Film Archive. Photo by Vinai Dithajohn What is expected of a Flaherty Fellow? Fellows are expected to be available to participate for each full day of Seminar programming from Wednesday, October 7, through Saturday, October 10, 2026. In addition to the Seminar programming, Fellows are expected to be available for a virtual Fellowship onboarding meeting in early September. Details and dates will be included in the acceptance package. Flaherty Fellows will conclude their Fellowship program through a written feedback report due on October 26, 2026. In-person Fellows may also be asked to contribute to the Seminar by facilitating breakout group conversations. Facilitation resources and support will be provided to Fellows who are asked to participate in this way. Eligibility We welcome Fellows who demonstrate a deep interest in community engagement within their field. While no academic background is required, applicants should: • Be active in the field through research, filmmaking, or related organizational or project-based work • Be at least 21 years of age or older • Have not received an In-Person Flaherty Seminar Fellowship in the last five years • Be available for the full duration of the program (details above) Fellowship-specific eligibility criteria: Please review the requirements for the specific Fellowship you are applying for, below. The Flaherty encourages applications from BIPOC participants, as part of our unwavering belief that our community is at its best when it is heterogeneous and inclusive of many forms of knowledge and experience. • The 2023 Queer World-Mending Online Flaherty Fellows. 2026 Fellowships offered through our Open Call All Fellowships are offered at no cost to their recipients, thanks to our many Fellowship Partners. In 2026, eight In-Person and nine Online Fellowship recipients will be selected via our Open Call. The remaining slots are underwritten by academic institutions who select the Fellowship recipients internally. ONLINE IN-PERSON • # LEF New England Fellowship IN-PERSON ONLY The LEF New England Fellowship, supported by LEF New England of the LEF Foundation, provides funding for three New England-based documentary filmmakers to attend the Seminar in person. Eligibility Requirements: • Must be living and working in one of the six New England states: • Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island. • Must not have received a Flaherty Fellowship in the past. • Must not be enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s degree program at the time of ap