Press Release: Trilith Institute's 2026 Emerging Creative Residency Open for Georgia-based Filmmakers

Trilith Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to the development of the next generation of storytellers, announced today that applications for its 2026 Emerging Creative Residency (ECR) opened October 1. 

Heading into its third year in 2026, the flagship program provides Georgia-based filmmakers with housing in the Town at Trilith, $100,000 in production funding, a living stipend, mentorship, and access to world-class industry resources, supporting selected indie writers and directors from development through production and distribution.

The Institute has already seen remarkable proof of concept with its first two residents:

• 2024 ECR Ebony Blanding’s feature film, A Mess of Memories, made its world premiere at the BronzeLens Film Festival this year, where it won both the Audience Choice Award and the Georgia Filmmaker Award. The film continues its successful festival circuit run with official selections at Tallgrass Film Festival, Gary International Film Festival, Renaissance Black Film Festival, and Centre Film Festival. Shot in the Atlanta area, A Mess of Memories explores themes of ancestral trauma, memory, and healing through a surrealist family drama.
• 2025 ECR Christian Noél has developed an original half-hour comedy pilot, currently in production. Described as “Caddyshack meets Parks and Recreation,” the show marks Trilith Institute’s first television project and underscores the program’s commitment to advancing both film and television creators.
• “With our first feature film and now a television pilot, we are truly realizing the mission of Trilith Institute: to foster and retain the next generation of storytellers here in Georgia,” said Jeffrey Stepakoff, President and CEO of Trilith Institute. “By empowering emerging writers and directors like Ebony and Christian with meaningful resources, mentorship, and industry access, we are building a sustainable creative pipeline that keeps talent rooted in our state while contributing fresh voices to the global storytelling landscape.”

Applications for the 2026 ECR are open now through November 7, 2025, at trilithinstitute.org. 

The selected resident will receive a year-long immersive experience, living and working at Trilith while developing their original project under the guidance of industry professionals.

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