Shadow a television director working on an episode of a Shondaland series.
APPLICATIONS OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2026
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Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
VIDEO ESSAY EXAMPLES
The official judging panel, consisting of individuals selected by SeriesFest and Shondaland, at its sole discretion, will make a number of official selections (the “Semi Finalists”) from all eligible entries received. The judging will be based on the following criteria:
- Originality and creativity
- Overall quality of all elements & aspects of the production of each entry, including, without limitation, writing, acting, directing, editing, etc. Adherence to and appropriateness for a particular format or type of program
We will contact you via email during the month of March 2027. Please make sure that the e-mail address you provided on your application will be operational at that time. If your e-mail address changes after you’ve filled out the application, please email us to update your contact information.
We will not be held responsible for any failed delivery of notification. If you haven’t heard from us by April 2027 please contact us at info@seriesfest.com for an official notification.
The director selected for the Grand Prize will shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland production. The cycle 8 winner and semi-finalists will receive an all-access badge to SeriesFest: Season 13 in 2027.
SeriesFest and Shondaland are committed to amplifying the finalists and recipient through editorial features, social media, and national press opportunities. Explore examples of media coverage on Variety, Forbes, Indiewire and more here and on SeriesFest.com and Shondaland.com.
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If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by SeriesFest:
(1) You must execute a release agreement wherein you:
Indemnify and hold harmless SeriesFest, LLC, its parent company, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition of your film at SeriesFest.
(2) Agree to participate in a reasonable number of customary promotional and publicity activities [including press junkets, telephone interviews, sending press packages, and public appearances to promote the SeriesFest]
(3) You own the project IP and have the rights to any affiliated source material
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Head of Creative Production, Shondaland
“When we first launched this program, we could not have imagined the breadth of talented, bold, and authentic voices we have discovered through the Women Directing Mentorship,” says Tom Verica, Head of Creative Production at Shondaland. “We are absolutely thrilled to continue this impactful partnership with SeriesFest for an 8th cycle, and incredibly proud to keep driving the shared mission of uplifting and amplifying these diverse voices.“
Gia-Rayne B. Harris with mentor Tom Verica on the set of Bridgerton
Advice from Previous Recipients
Congratulations to our Previous Mentorship Recipients
Thank you to our partner
Shondaland
Shondaland is the global media company founded by award-winning writer and producer Shonda Rhimes. The company fearlessly entertains through storytelling with content for film, streaming, audio, digital and editorial as well as brand partnerships, merchandise and experiences. Shondaland has an exclusive partnership with Netflix where it produces streaming content for the media company, including record-breaking series “Bridgerton” and its spinoff series “Queen Charlotte,” ’’Inventing Anna,” “Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker,” the Emmy-winning documentary “Black Barbie,” “The Residence” and the upcoming Untitled Grey’s Anatomy Spinoff. In 2017, Shondaland launched the editorial website Shondaland.com followed by the creation of Shondaland Audio in 2019. Shondaland was launched in 2005 with the groundbreaking series “Grey’s Anatomy.”
