Concordia Studio, an influential player in the independent film and television landscape co-founded by Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, has unveiled the recipients of its esteemed 2025 Documentary Filmmaker Fellowship. This program is designed to nurture and support visionary talent within the documentary filmmaking community.

The selected filmmakers—Contessa Gayles, Jason M. Harper, Mohammed Naqvi, and Jennifer Tiexiera—were chosen for their outstanding craftsmanship, collaborative spirit, and ability to explore uncharted territories of storytelling through cinema. Each of these talented individuals brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to the fellowship.

Rahdi Taylor, Executive Vice President of The Concordia Fellowship, remarked on the significance of supporting creative minds in today's rapidly evolving film industry. “Amidst the swift and transformative shifts within our film ecosystem, one element has consistently shone through: the unwavering creative imagination of filmmakers like these,” Taylor emphasized. “That’s why we believe that now more than ever, creative, strategic, financial, and convening support can help visionary filmmakers chart their course to the future.”

It’s important to note that candidates for the fellowship are considered through a selective process, relying on direct invitations and private nominations. Concordia Studio has highlighted that the nominators for this cohort included esteemed industry veterans from organizations such as CAAM and the True/False Film Festival. This approach underscores the program's commitment to amplifying diverse voices and ensuring that a variety of regional narratives are represented in documentary filmmaking.

The current cohort of Documentary Filmmaker Fellows boasts an impressive lineup, featuring notable talents like Rita Baghdad, known for her works such as Sirens and My Country No More, and Edward R. Buckles Jr., acclaimed for Katrina Babies. Other fellows include Jarrod Cann with his work Good White People, and Lindsey Dryden, recognized for her films The Callers and Lost and Sound.

Among the accomplished alumni of this fellowship are Elizabeth Lo, whose documentary Mistress Dispeller was recently acquired by Oscilloscope Laboratories, and Isabel Castro, whose film Selena y Los Dinos premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Notably, the fellowship has also produced Oscar nominees like Garrett Bradley, Bing Liu, and Smriti Mundhra, highlighting its impact on the documentary film landscape.

Concordia Studio is also actively engaging audiences with its latest project, Deaf President Now!, co-directed by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim, which made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on May 16, expanding its reach to a broader audience.

Meet the 2025 Fellowship Recipients

Contessa Gayles

Contessa Gayles is an accomplished filmmaker whose work delves into themes of identity, healing, Black liberation, and the power of radical imagination. Her feature documentary-visual album Songs From the Hole (2024, SXSW) not only won the Audience Award at SXSW but also garnered an IDA Award nomination and the 2025 Cinema Eye Honors Heterodox Award. Her film The Debutantes premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, while her short film Founder Girls (2023, Tribeca) aired on BET. A former journalist at CNN, Gayles has directed and produced several award-winning non-fiction works, including the acclaimed documentary The Feminist on Cellblock Y. She has received support from various prestigious organizations such as Impact Partners, IDA, Sundance Institute, and many others.

Jason M. Harper

Jason M. Harper is a versatile editor and director whose innovative approach merges art, film, and hip hop across various documentary formats. His directorial debut, As We Speak (2024, Sundance, Paramount+), intricately examines the use of rap lyrics in criminal trials. Harper's editing work includes the Emmy-nominated Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022, Sundance, Netflix), A Kid From Coney Island (2019, Netflix), and Down a Dark Stairwell (2020, PBS, Criterion Channel). Recently, he earned a spot on DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 list in 2024, solidifying his reputation in the documentary sphere.

Mohammed Naqvi

Filmmaker Mohammed “Mo” Naqvi has made a name for himself with documentaries that tackle significant global issues through intimate storytelling. Naqvi, who has roots in both Pakistan and the United States, has directed several Emmy-nominated films, including The Accused: Damned or Devoted? (2020, PBS World) and Among the Believers (2015, PBS World). His acclaimed documentary Pakistan’s Hidden Shame garnered the U.N Association Festival Grand Jury Prize in 2014. With numerous accolades, including an Independent Spirit Award nomination and the UNESCO-FELLINI Prize, Naqvi continues to influence the documentary landscape profoundly.

Jennifer Tiexiera

Jennifer Tiexiera is a groundbreaking filmmaker recognized for her innovative collaborations with both film participants and fellow creatives. Her recent documentary Speak premiered in the U.S. Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Tiexiera also directed the Emmy-nominated series Unveiled: Surviving La Luz del Mundo for HBO (2022) and her film Subject (2022, Tribeca) explores the impact of sharing one’s life story through film. Co-directing P.S. Burn this Letter Please (2021, Tribeca), she highlighted a neglected chapter of LGBTQ+ history in NYC. As a co-founder of Lady & Bird and a member of several organizations supporting underrepresented filmmakers, Tiexiera is dedicated to uplifting diverse voices within the industry.