NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA), a nonprofit supporting emerging filmmakers, has expanded its NewNarratives grant scheme, raising total available funding to $35,000 and introducing a new AI-focused fellowship in partnership with Absurd. The move builds on a programme launched in 2021 with Warner Bros. Discovery, which has so far attracted more than 1,175 applications from over 89 countries and distributed almost $300,000 to independent storytellers.

This year's edition comprises six grants across three categories. Four unrestricted $5,000 grants, backed by the Rhulen Family Foundation, will go to filmmakers working on narrative, documentary, animation, experimental or episodic projects at any stage. A further $5,000 environmental storytelling grant, supported by Athens Services, will fund a short film in post-production addressing sustainability or climate themes. New for 2026 is a $10,000 Absurd AI storytelling grant, which comes with a three-month fellowship allowing the recipient to experiment with Absurd's AI filmmaking tools ahead of the platform's beta launch on 3 August. NFMLA leaders said the initiative aims to back filmmakers at the earliest, most under-funded stages of their careers.