10 Filmmakers Selected for “One House Fund” Highlighting Underrepresented Talent with Support from East West Bank Foundation
The Sundance Institute and Gold House announced a new cohort for the “One House Filmmakers Fund,” spotlighting 10 filmmakers from underrepresented communities. With funding from East West Bank Foundation, this pioneering program aims to provide unrestricted financing, mentorship, and project amplification. In line with its mission to diversify Hollywood’s storytelling landscape, the Fund launched in January, building a collaborative network to support fresh narratives in film.
On October 26, the grantees were celebrated at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, where over 200 industry leaders gathered. Highlights of the evening included a pitch session where each filmmaker presented their work to potential financiers and distributors. Attendees included figures such as Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank, Academy President Janet Yang, and high-profile filmmakers and actors like Wesley Chan and Tzi Ma, who showed strong support for the program’s mission.
The newly announced filmmakers and their projects are as follows:
- Pierre Coleman / "Ricky"
- Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan / "Hum"
- Colette Ghunim / "Traces of Home"
- Julia Kennelly / "Clare"
- Sofian Khan / "Karachi Sky"
- Naomi Ko / "Marry Korean"
- April Maxey / "Work"
- John Sutter / "Planet A"
- Angela Tucker / "The Inquisitor"
- Jing Wang / "Ride With Delivery Workers"
As the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report reveals, audiences increasingly prefer diverse content, but there remains an evident gap in representation behind the camera. In 2023, while 45% of leads in streaming films were BIPOC actors, less than one-third of directors and writers identified as such. The “One House Filmmakers Fund” addresses these imbalances, offering financial and professional support to encourage inclusive storytelling.
“By embracing diverse perspectives and narratives, we enrich our collective innovation and create a more inclusive environment where new ideas can thrive,” said Dominic Ng. He emphasized that fostering diverse perspectives enhances connections between communities and broadens market appeal.
Hajnal Molnar Szakacs of the Sundance Institute expressed enthusiasm for the new grantees, highlighting the Fund’s role in providing a platform for stories with global resonance. “These inspirational artists, working across fiction and nonfiction, reflect the rich diversity of storytelling that drives our industry forward,” she stated.
As a central advocate for Asian Pacific creators, Gold House also continues its mission to amplify multicultural voices through initiatives such as the “Sunrise House,” an AAPI co-hosted event at the Sundance Film Festival. Other notable Gold House programs include the “One House Toasts,” which support multicultural films during award seasons, and the “One House Leadership Coalition,” which has filled over 60 board seats with diverse candidates across the entertainment industry.
The new cohort builds on the achievements of the inaugural 2023 grantees, such as Arun Bhattarai, whose documentary "Agent of Happiness" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Jalena Keane-Lee, recognized as a top Asian creator by Paper Magazine.
Through its collaborations with organizations like the Blackhouse, GLAAD, Latinx House, and NAACP Hollywood Bureau, the “One House Filmmakers Fund” remains committed to supporting visionary storytellers who represent a broad spectrum of experiences.