The Academy has announced the winners of this year’s Nichol Fellowship in screenwriting. The 2025-2026 class of fellows consists of Lynn McKee, Katla Solnes, Leo Aguirre, Omar Al Dakhir, Elie El Choufany, Sarah Crowe, and David Lafaides. Crowe and Rafaides, along with Al Dakhir and El Choufany, were selected as the writing team.
An international talent development program supporting non-professional screenwriters, fellows in the program receive support, resources and networking opportunities from the Academy. To identify fellows, the program partnered with 40 universities, labs, festivals, and filmmaker programs. More than 500 Academy members read and evaluated the scripts to determine the finalists, and 23 Academy members who serve on the Nicol Committee selected the finalists.
“We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowship for Screenwriting, a remarkable group of diverse, international emerging writers who represent the future of storytelling,” Academy Director Kim Taylor-Coleman said in a statement. “This continues the Academy’s long-standing commitment to championing emerging talent from around the world. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the Academy members who participated, to Franklin Leonard and The Black List for their collaboration, and to the universities, screenwriting institutes, film festivals, and filmmaker programs that submitted scripts to this year’s program.”
Monday, March 23rd
Produced by Conference to be held at Universal on May 30th
The Producers Guild of America’s “Produced By” conference will be held on May 30th at Universal Studios. Highlights of the show include conversations about the evolving production landscape, the year’s biggest moments in television, and emerging technologies like AI in Hollywood.
Networking events and educational forums will feature film, television and emerging media to discuss the most pressing issues facing the industry. The day-long event will also feature the annual “State of Production” session.
Visit the conference website for the latest information on speakers and programs.
CinemaCon renames Caesars Palace venue Dolby Colosseum
For the first time ever, CinemaCon renamed the Colosseum at Caesars Palace the Dolby Colosseum ahead of the world convention. CinemaCon, presented by Cinema United, will be held from April 13th to 16th at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Dolby has signed a naming rights deal for this year’s CinemaCon, the latest show of support for the convention the company has sponsored since its inception in 2011. Dolby Coliseum will once again feature Dolby Atmos sound and Dolby Vision laser projection systems, and both will feature numerous programs.
“We are excited about this next step in our valued partnership with Dolby Laboratories. Cutting-edge technology is the foundation of the theatrical experience, and renaming CinemaCon’s iconic main venue for this incredible global leader is a natural choice,” said Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, in a statement. “The talented people at Dolby bring unparalleled innovation and excitement to theaters every day, and it’s only fitting that the world’s greatest celebration of moviegoing takes place at Dolby Coliseum.” We would like to thank Jed Harmsen and everyone at Dolby for their continued leadership and unwavering support of the exhibition. ”
“CinemaCon has always been an influential moment in the industry, with a focus on Dolby Cinema, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision,” Jed Harmsen, head of film and group entertainment at Dolby Laboratories, said in a statement. “This year, we are excited to further strengthen our commitment to bringing a new level of truly immersive entertainment to movie fans around the world and make Dolby Colosseum the home of studio presentations during CinemaCon.”
