Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Changemaker Award was awarded to Alysa Nahmias at the 2026 Artist Development
Showcase, an evening of curated short films made by alumni of Film Independent’s Artist
Development programs, on July 21, 2026 at the Harmony Gold Theater.
Established in 2023 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Film Independent Artist
Development, the Changemaker Awards embody the organization’s mission to
champion independent voices and create impactful, positive change. These awards
highlight the extraordinary work of Film Independent program alumni, whose body of
work and commitment to giving back have made far-reaching impact – both within the
industry and in their communities.
Alysa Nahmias is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of AJNA Films. Her directing
credits include Cookie Queens, which recently premiered at Sundance and won the
SXSW Festival Favorite Audience Award, the Emmy-winning Art & Krimes by Krimes for
MTV Docs/Paramount+, and Unfinished Spaces, which won a 2012 Film Independent
Spirit Award and is in the MoMA collection. Alysa’s producing credits include Wildca
tand Unrest, among others. She is a frequent advisor for Sundance Catalyst, Film
Independent labs and Global Media Makers, and is a member of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts & Sciences and a Co-Founder of FWD-Doc.
Ever since the debut of Project Involve back in 1993, Film Independent Artist
Development has been on the forefront of educating, championing and furthering the
careers of filmmakers. Learn more about Artist Development here: filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development
The Changemaker Award was awarded to Alysa Nahmias at the 2026 Artist Development
Showcase, an evening of curated short films made by alumni of Film Independent’s Artist
Development programs, on July 21, 2026 at the Harmony Gold Theater.
Established in 2023 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Film Independent Artist
Development, the Changemaker Awards embody the organization’s mission to
champion independent voices and create impactful, positive change. These awards
highlight the extraordinary work of Film Independent program alumni, whose body of
work and commitment to giving back have made far-reaching impact – both within the
industry and in their communities.
Alysa Nahmias is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of AJNA Films. Her directing
credits include Cookie Queens, which recently premiered at Sundance and won the
SXSW Festival Favorite Audience Award, the Emmy-winning Art & Krimes by Krimes for
MTV Docs/Paramount+, and Unfinished Spaces, which won a 2012 Film Independent
Spirit Award and is in the MoMA collection. Alysa’s producing credits include Wildca
tand Unrest, among others. She is a frequent advisor for Sundance Catalyst, Film
Independent labs and Global Media Makers, and is a member of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts & Sciences and a Co-Founder of FWD-Doc.
Ever since the debut of Project Involve back in 1993, Film Independent Artist
Development has been on the forefront of educating, championing and furthering the
careers of filmmakers. Learn more about Artist Development here: filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development
