We’d like to start our first newsletter of the new year by sending our love to the people of Los Angeles, including many folks within our doc community, who are experiencing shocking devastation in the wake of this month’s wildfires. These moments call us together–community is what gets us through hardship. We’re inspired by the organizers, loving neighbors, and resource-sharers of all kinds who are not only answering urgent needs, but also planting seeds of healing for our shared future. 

Read on for the community wins bringing us joy and hope this month, including just-announced Sundance awards, Oscar nominations, Cinema Eye Awards, 2025 (Egg)celerator Lab grantees, and more. Plus, discover where you can catch some Chicken & Egg-supported films streaming this month.

Thanks for reading!

Just announced: Sundance awards

We’ve just returned from Sundance (check out the team’s fest highlights on our IG) and we couldn’t be more proud of our supported filmmakers and AlumNest for their well-deserved award wins:

✦ Brittany Shyne’s Seeds (US Grand Jury Prize: Documentary)

✦ Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni’s Cutting Through Rocks (World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary)

✦ Isabel Castro’s Selena y Los Dinos (US Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling)

✦ Amber Fares’ Coexistence, My Ass! (World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression)

✦ Geeta Gandbhir’s The Perfect Neighbor (Directing Award, US Documentary)

Black Box Diaries nominated for an Oscar!

Huge congratulations are in order for Shiori Ito, Eric Nyari and Hanna Aqvilin, whose supported film Black Box Diaries received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film.

2025 (Egg)celerator Lab films announced

“We are extremely proud to be supporting this diverse group of talented filmmakers… This year’s projects are anchored in themes of home: what it means to nurture and protect one’s community, as well as what it means to survive and thrive in the face of displacement. In our increasingly fraught and fragmented world, these projects inspire us to reflect on the question, “what is home?””
—Kiyoko McCrae, Program Director at Chicken & Egg Films 

We're proud to share the nine feature documentary film projects, directed or co-directed by first- or second-time directors, which will each receive year-long mentorship and a $40,000 grant to be put towards production. Additionally, four projects will each receive a $10,000 (Egg)celerator Lab finalist grant.

More awards, nominations, and funding

Cinema Eye Honors

✦ Union won the Outstanding Achievement in Production Award
✦ Black Box Diaries won the Spotlight Award
✦ Songs from the Hole won the Heterodox Award
✦ Shiori Ito (Black Box Diaries) and Chris Smalls (Union) received Unforgettables mentions

SIMA Awards

✦ Black Snow is a Finalist, Feature Documentary

✦ Union is a Finalist, Feature Documentary

✦ Big Fight in Little Chinatown is a Finalist, Impact Campaign

Black Box Diaries received a BAFTA nomination for Best Documentary.

The In Between was nominated for Best U.S. Latinx Film of the Year at the Cinema Tropical Awards.

Supported filmmakers Ash Goh Hua and Emily Mkrtichian received a 2025 Creative Capital Award. 

We are accepting applications for our 2025 Research & Development Grant through Feb 4 at 11:59PM. Have questions? Watch a recording of our team's informational webinar from January 9.

PS. Our 2026 (Egg)celerator Lab Open Call is coming soon. Not sure if you should apply for our Research & Development Grant or our (Egg)celerator Lab program? Check eligibility for R&D here and EL here. 

Currently Streaming

✦ Black Box Diaries streams on Paramount +. 

✦ The In Between will premiere on Independent Lens February 10.

✦ Look Into My Eyes streams on Max. 

✦ The Scientists versus Dartmouth is available through Scientific American. 

✦ Union is available for rent through February 1.

Thank you for catching up with us. 

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