Attention, women-identifying undergrad or grad film students with a penchant for horror, sci-fi, and/or fantasy: the 2020 Stephanie Rothman Fellowship is now accepting submissions. Created by horror scholar and USC film professor Rebekah McKendry and Etheria Film Night organizers Heidi Honeycutt and Stacy Pippi, the fellowship is “meant to recognize and reward the creativity and passion of female film students with an innovative take on genre filmmaking,” a press release announced.
The $5,000 fellowship will be awarded by enthusiastic genre film professionals — and fans — “looking to encourage and monetarily aid like-minded women filmmakers.” The funds can be used for school expenses or the production of a film. The fellowship is named for “The Student Nurses” filmmaker and USC alumna Stephanie Rothman, who became the first woman to direct a modern horror film in 1966 when producer Roger Corman hired her to direct a few scenes for an upcoming release.
The inaugural Stephanie Rothman Fellowship went to Issa Lopez. She used the funds to finish post-production on “Exorcism 101,” her short horror pilot teaser. “My goal was to be inclusive with my own gender and give [the crew] the opportunity to show that women can fill out any position in the entertainment industry, from cinematography to gripping,” she said. “These women are an inspiration to continue moving forward into this project, with their dedication, devotion, and support.”
Submissions for the 2020 Stephanie Rothman Fellowship will be accepted through April 1, 2020, via FilmFreeway. The recipient will be announced in June, at the 2020 Etheria Film Night. The event will be held at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
