Level Forward Impact Award

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The Level Forward Impact Award will be given to the episodic pilot and team who demonstrate—on top of their commitment to creative excellence—a thoughtful, thorough, and deliberate approach to using storytelling as a means of leveling the playing field for Women, Black, Indigenous, Latin, Asian, disabled, LGBTQIA+, as well as geographically, socioeconomically, or otherwise diverse voices which have historically been overlooked, ignored, or exploited.

The selected winner will work with Level Forward, an Abigail Disney company, to develop their series, pitch, and work together towards setting it up with a distributor. The award also includes a $5000 cash prize, supported by RBC, a speaking opportunity with Level Forward at SeriesFest, which includes a screening and travel stipend for all finalists.

By rewarding intentional art and process, the Impact Award incentivizes dual value creation—financial and social—as contemporary measures of success.

Pilots applying for the Independent Pilot—Comedy, Independent Pilot—Drama, Unscripted Series, Digital Short Series, and Late Night competitions have the opportunity to opt-in to be considered for the Level Forward Impact Award.

HOW IT WORKS

The Level Forward Impact Award, supported by the Royal Bank of Canada, is given to one filmmaker during the 2025 SeriesFest event.

All submissions will be evaluated by Level Forward. There is no additional application—simply opt-in when you submit your project.

Submissions will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

What story is being told? Why is this story important now, in this moment? How is it being told?
Who is telling this story? Why are you the best person/people to tell it? Are you telling a story about something that has personally impacted you or someone close to you?
How were you able to tell this story? What kind of support system did you have or lack? What non-financial resources did you use?

Who is the audience for this story and what is your connection to that audience? How do you believe you can reach that audience? How do you hope your audience will be impacted by this story being in the world? How might others be impacted by it?
What actions would you like to see taken by audiences because of your story? What partnerships have you made, or would like to make, to advance those actions?
How did you identify and build your team? Who is on that team and how do they represent the subject matter, and/or the intended audience? Is there gender and racial balance that reflects equitable access to the opportunity of working on your project?
How were the people on your team compensated? How were they compensated relative to one another?
How would you like to see this story distributed? How would you like to see it priced?
If you could control the profit allocation of your work, how would you allocate it?
Where did your financing come from?

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Importantly, there are no right answers. Not every question will apply to you; these are guideposts and ambitions. We know it takes extra time and money to be as thoughtful, thorough, and deliberate as we would like. Our logic is that by naming and rewarding these criteria, you will be further inspired to shape a more equitable and impactful industry while encouraging others to do the same.

Previous Winners

SEASON 10

Breakthrough

Jared A. Johnston, JaMar Jones, LaTonya Joyce

Witness how pressures to succeed and identity crisis plague athletes when removed from the sport. Watch the story of former NFL player, D’joun Smith. Learn More.

SEASON 9

THE BIG IDEA: LAST MILE

Sarah Klein & Tom Mason

What does it truly take to invent something that changes the world? When cryogenics expert Kitty Liao discovers that half of the world’s vaccines get spoiled during their last mile of delivery, she decides to dedicate her life to creating a solution. Liao embarks on her own arduous journey as she attempts to get her life-saving invention into the hands of the people who need it most. Read more.

SEASON 8

JORDAN

Ebony Blanding

When a tween mermaid enthusiast discovers an ailing water creature, she uses a magical wish to change the fate of their existence… and her own.

SEASON 7

PARKED IN AMERICA

Kayla Yumi Lewis

Jamie Park, a Korean teenager, moves in with her relatives in the midwest after a family tragedy strikes back at home in Seoul. There, she meets her cousin Eli, and together they navigate high school while struggling with identity, guilt, and grief.

Thank you to our sponsors

Level Forward

Abigail Disney’s Level Forward is an ecosystem of storytellers, business people, and social change organizers focused on expanding the opportunity and influence of creative excellence in pursuit of economic transformation.

Royal Bank of Canada Emerging Artists

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is a longstanding supporter of the arts and film around the globe. Through its RBC Emerging Artists Project, RBC has supported over 24,000 alumni since 2015. To date, more than $90 million has been donated through the RBC Foundation to benefit thousands of arts organizations around the world.

“Through the RBC Emerging Artists Project, we strive to support organizations that will provide the best opportunities for artists to accelerate their career trajectory,” said Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact and Innovation, RBC. “Our partnership with SeriesFest will help to provide the much-needed opportunities that underrepresented artists require to take their next step — as we believe all artists deserve equal and equitable opportunity to meet their full potential. We look forward to watching their careers unfold in the years ahead and hearing the stories informed by their diverse perspectives.”

Questions?

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