THE “SECOND ACT” COLLECTIVE
“Where your vision meets your village—and your next chapter begins.”
The Second Act Program is a hands-on, mentorship-driven collective designed for Black women—especially millennials—who are ready to pivot boldly into the film industry. Built for those entering film as a second career, this experience is rooted in storytelling, sisterhood, and studio-level access.
Over the course of one year, fellows receive direct mentorship from working Black women in film while actively developing and producing a short or feature project. The program offers behind-the-scenes access to the full filmmaking pipeline—from pre-production to post, distribution to festival strategy—while immersing participants in real-time experiences across indie sets, production houses, and full-service studios.
This isn’t a classroom—it’s a creative career accelerator. We’re not here to teach theory—we’re here to build films, sharpen vision, and shift the industry together.
REEL VOICES GRANT PROGRAM
“When Black women fund their own stories, the world finally sees us clearly.”
The Reel Voices Grant was created exclusively for Black women filmmakers to support bold, original storytelling in film and media. This grant exists to address the systemic barriers that Black women face in accessing funding, resources, and visibility in the film industry.
Through direct financial support, Reel Voices empowers emerging and independent Black women filmmakers to bring their creative visions to life—whether through short films, documentaries, or experimental works. We center those whose stories reflect the depth, nuance, and lived realities of Black womanhood.
This is not just about funding—it's about shifting the narrative powerfully and unapologetically. Grantees become part of a growing community committed to elevating Black women’s voices on screen and behind the camera. By investing in their work, Reel Voices helps ensure that Black women are not just included in film—they are leading it.