The announcement of the Academy‘s latest Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipients marks a significant milestone for emerging writers in the industry. The 2025-2026 class showcases a diverse group of talented individuals whose innovative storytelling promises to shape the future of cinema. Highlighting the Academy’s commitment to nurturing fresh talent worldwide, this year’s selections emphasize diversity and creativity in screenwriting.
2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowships Recipients Revealed
The Academy has officially named the 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipients. This year’s distinguished group includes Lynn McKee, Katla Sólnes, Leo Aguirre, Omar Al Dakheel, Elie El Choufany, Sara Crow, and David Rafailedes. Notably, Crow and Rafailedes, as well as Al Dakheel and El Choufany, were recognized as collaborative writing teams.
The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting program, renowned for supporting non-professional screenwriters, provides these fellows with essential resources, networking opportunities, and backing from the Academy. The program partners with 40 universities, labs, festivals, and filmmaker programs to identify promising candidates. Over 500 Academy members evaluated scripts, while 23 members of the Nicholl Committee selected the finalists.
Commitment to Global Talent
Expressing excitement over the announcement, Academy Governor Kim Taylor-Coleman emphasized the fellowship’s dedication to promoting diverse, international storytellers. “We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, a remarkable group of diverse and international new writers who represent the future of storytelling,” she said. This initiative underscores the Academy’s ongoing effort to champion emerging talent globally.
CinemaCon Unveils the Dolby Colosseum
In other film news, CinemaCon has renamed the Colosseum at Caesars Palace as the “Dolby Colosseum.” This marks a momentous first in the convention’s history. Scheduled for April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, CinemaCon will continue its partnership with Dolby, a supporter since the event’s inception in 2011.
Dolby’s most recent naming rights agreement underscores its ongoing commitment to enhancing the cinematic experience. Attendees can expect state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos sound and Dolby Vision laser projection systems during the convention’s presentations.
Reflecting on this collaboration, Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, stated, “We are excited about the next step in our invaluable partnership with Dolby Laboratories.” Jed Harmsen, head of cinema and group entertainment at Dolby, echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of the Dolby Colosseum in highlighting Dolby’s immersive entertainment solutions.
