The Gotham Announces Summer 2025 Cohort for EDU Film and Media Career Development Program
The Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program has officially revealed its Summer 2025 cohort, selecting 37 talented students from 20 colleges and universities across the United States. This virtual, seven-week program, running from June 16 to August 1, is designed to accelerate students’ entry into the media workforce by providing full tuition sponsorships through generous industry partnerships.
The comprehensive curriculum covers vital areas such as pitching, nonprofit management, film festival strategy, entrepreneurship, and representation. Through engaging workshops and conversations, students gain the tools and insights needed to strategically navigate and succeed in the highly competitive film and media industry.
Participants are assigned to one of six specialized tracks that match their career interests:
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Narrative Filmmaking
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Documentary Filmmaking
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Television & Episodic
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New Media & Entrepreneurship
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Executive Leadership
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Multi-Hyphenate Work (Sidney Poitier Initiative Track)
Each track offers mentorship from industry professionals, support for project development, and opportunities to attend Gotham Week, the annual Project Market and Expo. Select students will also have the chance to shadow companies such as Storm City Films through the Executive Ambassador track.
Leadership Insights
Kia Brooks, Deputy Director of The Gotham, emphasized the program’s growth and impact:
“Now in its seventh year, the Gotham EDU Career Development program proudly welcomes 37 standout students from diverse academic backgrounds. With the new programmatic tracks, students will receive hands-on experience tailored to their goals, preparing them for the next phase in their careers.”
Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of The Gotham, added:
“Gotham EDU continues to open doors for emerging talent, providing a rare chance for students to engage directly with working professionals during a pivotal stage in their creative journeys. Thanks to our supporters and partners, this program is a vital launchpad for the next generation of storytellers and media executives, many of whom are already making waves in the industry.”
Summer 2025 Participant Highlights by Track
Executive Ambassador Track
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Olivia Jane Graff (Savannah College of Art and Design)
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David Diouf (Northwestern University)
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Gabriela Perez (University of Southern California)
Executive Leadership Track
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Jessi Calidonio (Dartmouth College)
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Isabella Ohrt (Colgate University)
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Elizabeth Haberland-Ervin (New York University)
Narrative Filmmaking Track
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Don Ahmad (New York University)
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Beckett Lucas-Griffin (Yale University)
See More ...
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Lisa Dodell (Pratt Institute)
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And others
Sidney Poitier Initiative Track for Multi-Hyphenates
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Daphne Joyce Wu (Yale University)
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Nana Duffuor (Columbia University)
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Amber Rachelle Butler (USC)
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And others
New Media & Entrepreneurship Track
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Sherif Ibrahim (Columbia University)
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Brittany Cohen (Colgate University)
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Minsun Kim (Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema)
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And others
Television & Episodic Track
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Pierce Whitney (NYU)
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Caiden Williams (Colgate University)
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Grace Owusu-Amoah (Colgate University)
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And others
Documentary Track
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Shuhei Matsutoya (Colgate University)
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Sophia Abolfathi (University of Florida)
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Vanessa Cruz (CUNY Brooklyn College)
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And others
This fully sponsored program is a unique opportunity for aspiring film and media professionals to gain critical knowledge, build a network of industry contacts, and receive mentorship that could propel their careers forward in one of the most competitive creative industries.
