Jordan Peele and Universal Film Launch Second Edition of No Drama Filmmaker Initiative
- Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Film have teamed up with American Cinematheque to launch the second edition of the "No Drama" filmmaker initiative.
- For the upcoming installment, Monkeypaw and Universal are collaborating with American Cinematheque to provide a $50,000 grant to up to three participating directors.
- The initiative builds on a 2024 launch that yielded notable career milestones for its inaugural class.
Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Film have teamed up with American Cinematheque to launch the second edition of the “No Drama” filmmaker initiative. Developed by Universal’s Filmmaker & Content Strategies group, the global program is a non-exclusive effort designed to support emerging genre filmmakers by providing industry exposure and direct access to the studio’s term-deal producers.
Second Edition Details and American Cinematheque Partnership
For the upcoming installment, Monkeypaw and Universal are collaborating with American Cinematheque to provide a $50,000 grant to up to three participating directors. Selected participants will use the funds to direct submitted short film scripts with the ultimate goal of developing those proofs of concept into full-length feature projects. Submissions must include a feature-length treatment alongside the short script. Prospective filmmakers are asked to focus their scripts on two core thematic prompts: Fear is universal, and Monsters are personal. The initiative challenges creators to redefine horror across different cultures, generations, and societies. Finished short films from the cohort are scheduled to premiere at Beyond Fest 2027, giving Monkeypaw and Universal a first-look option for further development.
Success of the Inaugural Cohort
The initiative builds on a 2024 launch that yielded notable career milestones for its inaugural class. 80% of the first-class participants secured agent or management representation after debuting their short films at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Several projects from the initial cohort also achieved substantial festival success. Ariel Zengotita directed “Imago,” which screened at SXSW, while Jared Leaf directed “Spilled Milk,” which won the Audience Award for short narrative at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival and the HBO Short Film Award at the American Black Film Festival. Leaf and Chandler Crump earned spots on blkscript’s list of rising Black creative talent in Hollywood. Internationally, Charlie Dennis’ film “The Pigs Underneath” was selected by the U.K.’s Royal Television Society for an exclusive screening. Additionally, Helena Hawkes transitioned into studio-level development after being accepted into the Universal Writers Residency program.
Submission Deadlines and Industry Leadership
We are thrilled to reunite with Monkeypaw Productions for the ‘No Drama’ initiative to champion the next generation of genre storytellers,
Cramer said. Jordan and his team bring an unmatched expertise and passion to this initiative, making them the ultimate partners to help elevate these new voices.
Janine Jones-Clark, Universal’s executive vice president of filmmaker and content strategies, noted that partnering with Beyond Fest provides an ideal launchpad. We know this will be an ideal platform to give these rising writer-directors the high-profile visibility needed to launch their careers,
Jones-Clark said. Grant Moninger, artistic director for American Cinematheque, added that the collaboration aligns with the nonprofit’s mission to invest in the future of cinema. Submissions for the second edition of “No Drama” are open on the American Cinematheque website and will close on Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.