The Sundance Institute and Gold House have revealed the ten filmmakers selected for the second round of the Sundance Institute | One House Filmmakers Fund. This groundbreaking initiative, made possible by the East West Bank Foundation, provides unrestricted funding, educational resources, and crucial exposure to filmmakers from underrepresented communities. The fund was established to amplify the voices of diverse storytellers, continuing East West Bank’s commitment to supporting inclusion in the entertainment industry.
The selected filmmakers were chosen by a panel of executives from the Sundance Institute, Gold House, East West Bank Foundation, and other key multicultural organizations, including the Blackhouse, GLAAD, Latinx House, and the NAACP Hollywood Bureau. Their collective mission is to champion creatives from historically underrepresented backgrounds and provide them the tools and support to tell authentic stories.
To celebrate the announcement, a special event, the One House Filmmakers Fund Soirée, was held on October 26 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. The event brought together over 200 industry leaders, tastemakers, and the ten selected filmmakers. In a highlight of the evening, the filmmakers pitched their projects to potential financiers and distributors, creating invaluable opportunities for their works-in-progress.
Some of the notable attendees included Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank; Janet Yang, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Aitch Alberto, director of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe; and a host of other influential figures from the entertainment industry. The soirée underscored the industry’s hunger for fresh, diverse perspectives in film, as outlined in UCLA’s annual Hollywood Diversity Report.
The report revealed that while there has been significant progress in front of the camera—BIPOC actors made up nearly half of streaming film leads in 2023—there remain substantial gaps behind the scenes. Less than one-third of streaming film directors and writers are BIPOC, and women fare similarly in both categories. The One House Filmmakers Fund was created to address these disparities by investing in diverse talent behind the camera, nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.
Among the second cohort of filmmakers and their upcoming projects are:
- Pierre Coleman (Ricky)
- Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Hum)
- Colette Ghunim (Traces of Home)
- Julia Kennelly (Clare)
- Sofian Khan (Karachi Sky)
- Naomi Ko (Marry Korean)
- April Maxey (Work)
- John Sutter (Planet A)
- Angela Tucker (The Inquisitor)
- Jing Wang (Ride With Delivery Workers)
East West Bank’s Dominic Ng highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating, “By embracing diverse perspectives and narratives, we enrich our collective innovation and create a more inclusive environment. This commitment is vital in both entertainment and business, as celebrating diverse cultural experiences not only expands markets but fosters stronger connections between communities.”
Hajnal Molnar Szakacs, Director of Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance, also emphasized the importance of diverse storytelling. “These inspirational artists, working across both fiction and nonfiction, reflect the rich diversity that is essential to the future of our industry. Through this partnership, we remain committed to providing a platform for underrepresented voices to explore bold, authentic narratives that resonate globally.”
Christine Yi, General Partner of Gold House Creative Equity Fund, echoed similar sentiments: “The One House Filmmakers Fund empowers stories that shape the future. We’re proud to collaborate with organizations like Sundance, East West Bank, and other multicultural partners to provide the mentorship and funding these creators need.”
The One House Filmmakers Fund aligns with Gold House’s broader mission to champion Asian Pacific creators and multicultural partners. At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Gold House will co-host the official pan-AAPI “Sunrise House” alongside Daniel Dae Kim’s 3AD and the Asian American Foundation (TAAF), as well as the annual Multicultural Dinner, which brings together various organizations dedicated to elevating marginalized voices in the entertainment industry.
The fund continues to pave the way for the next wave of diverse filmmakers, ensuring that the stories told on-screen are as varied and dynamic as the audiences who watch them.
For more information about the One House Filmmakers Fund, visit Gold House.
About Gold House:
Gold House is a leading cultural organization that invests in and promotes Asian Pacific creators and businesses to foster inclusion. Its programs, such as the Creative Equity Fund and Gold House Ventures, drive representation and investment in the Asian Pacific community and other marginalized groups.
About East West Bank Foundation:
The philanthropic arm of East West Bank, the East West Bank Foundation supports a wide range of causes, including cultural and arts initiatives, affordable housing, small business assistance, and economic development, with a commitment to creating opportunities for all.
About Sundance Institute:
The Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing independent storytelling. Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, it supports artists through labs, grants, mentorship programs, and its renowned Sundance Film Festival, which showcases groundbreaking works from independent filmmakers worldwide. More information contact Sundance Institute Press, please add [email protected]
Photography Credit: Andrew Ge (@thisige)
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