HOW WE HEAL SHORT FILM LAB
"How We Heal: Films that connect us, stories that renew us” is a nationwide short film lab elevating powerful stories about racial healing. It highlights how cinematic storytelling can build understanding and strengthen connection because while our lived experiences may differ, our futures are linked. Emerging filmmakers from across the country submitted stories conveying themes that honor our shared humanity and inspire us to work together in building a more just, equitable world. These are the 10 semifinalists who were selected by a group of respected film industry leaders.
SEMIFINALISTS
In the coming months the semifinalists will participate in a mentorship experience led by industry professionals who will guide them from concept to completion.
Five awardees will receive $10,000 and travel to Chicago in June 2026 to premiere their short films during a special event.
Jered Everson
Bio
A Minneapolis-based filmmaker rooted in justice-centered storytelling who brings care and accountability to stories of memory, dignity and healing. Now stepping into directing, his work explores how change unfolds through listening and time.
Samuel Hunter
Bio
A Jacksonville, Fla.-born actor, writer and producer, he creates stories driven by imagination and emotional truth. His work treats storytelling as escape and catharsis, aiming to move hearts, spark purpose and uplift his hometown’s creative voice.
Ty Kazy
Bio
A Grand Rapids, Mich.-based animator, he creates thoughtful stories for children that explore empathy, fairness and emotional awareness. Using simple narratives and expressive animation, his work invites young audiences to see the world with care and curiosity.
Edward Nguyen
Bio
A filmmaker born in Saigon and raised in Texas, he creates poetic, meditative films shaped by displacement, queerness and memory. His work centers Vietnamese and queer lives, using cinema to question power and imagine more just futures.
Alexis Noble
Bio
A Southern storyteller and cultural worker rooted in Jackson, Miss. who uses art, memory and community to honor everyday Black life. Her work preserves family history, nurtures young creatives and treats storytelling as care, healing and legacy.
Marcus Polk
Bio
A New York-based filmmaker and producer, he tells collaborative stories shaped by heritage, power and community. His work examines dignity, history and the human cost of social systems.
Castel Sweet
Bio
A community-rooted documentary filmmaker and sociologist based in Mississippi, she tells collaborative stories grounded in Black Southern memory and culture. Her films honor ancestral knowledge, truth-telling and healing across generations.