The Tribeca Festival is renowned not only for its celebrity attendees and red carpet moments but also for its commitment to nurturing emerging talent through dedicated artist development programs.
Jane Rosenthal, the festival's chief executive and co-founder alongside Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff, emphasized that discovery and support of new voices remain central to the festival’s mission.
“A significant part of Tribeca is about uncovering fresh narratives and innovative storytelling,” Rosenthal explained. “There simply aren’t enough initiatives that offer aspiring filmmakers the support they need.”
Since 2015, the festival has operated eight artist development initiatives providing full project funding to producers, directors, writers, and other creatives within the film industry.
Rosenthal noted that nearly $2 million is awarded annually, benefiting over 1,000 filmmakers. High-profile figures such as Kerry Washington, Queen Latifah, and John Leguizamo have participated as mentors and judges, lending their influence to uplift emerging artists.
This year marks the launch of Colectivo: A Miranda Family Fellowship & Tribeca Studios Filmmaker Program, a new initiative created in partnership with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Miranda Family Fund, and the Hispanic Federation. The fellowship supports three Latino filmmaking teams by providing funding to produce their short films.
Miranda, his father Luis A. Miranda Jr., and their team have been actively involved throughout the process, from script consultations to set visits and reviewing rough cuts.
All three films will premiere at the festival, each followed by a discussion session with the filmmakers.
The Colectivo selections include “El Tiguere,” by Bronx-born Afro-Caribbean writer-director Andrew J. Rodriguez, which explores the struggles of a Dominican immigrant navigating the legal system; “Las Hijas De Rosalia,” a reflective story of two sisters’ childhood memories by Austin-based Bolivian filmmaker Maria Mealla; and “Villa Encanto,” by Puerto Rican director Joel Perez, portraying a teenager’s relocation from Spanish Harlem to upstate New York in the 1960s.
In a recent interview, Miranda shared insights into Colectivo’s goals, the selection process, and advice for aspiring filmmakers.
When asked about the inspiration behind Colectivo, Miranda cited the 2021 Tribeca premiere of “In the Heights,” his film adaptation of the Broadway musical. The late Paula Weinstein, former chief content officer at the festival, approached his family about creating a Latino-focused program modeled after the festival’s Queen Collective, which supports African American filmmakers.
Miranda explained, “This opportunity aligned perfectly with our mission to increase access for underrepresented groups in filmmaking.”
Reflecting on his own artistic background, Miranda noted the importance of authenticity in storytelling, particularly in Latino cinema. “When you write specifically about your characters’ experiences, the stories connect universally.”
He recounted that “In the Heights” originated from his college years, motivated by a fear that Latino-themed musicals were becoming scarce following the brief run of Paul Simon’s “The Capeman.”
The fellowship’s core objectives are to increase Latino representation both on-screen and behind the camera, as well as to highlight narratives that are culturally specific yet resonate broadly.
For example, “El Tiguere” addresses food deserts in the Bronx through the lens of a father and son’s relationship, while “Villa Encanto” recalls the overlooked history of Latin resorts in the Catskills.
Miranda expressed a strong desire to bring more such stories to audiences and to support filmmakers in telling them.
The selection process involved outreach to film schools, university programs, and Latino-focused nonprofits, as well as consultations with Latino artists to identify promising candidates.
From an initial pool, Tribeca collaborated with semifinalists to refine their proposals, with Miranda and his family reviewing about 20 films before choosing the final three.
Key considerations included the filmmaker’s readiness, the project’s fit within budget constraints, and the potential for the short film to serve as a professional calling card.
Miranda highlighted the fellowship’s hands-on nature, differentiating it from typical mentorship programs. The team remains actively involved, assisting filmmakers in overcoming obstacles, such as helping Joel Perez secure period costumes for “Villa Encanto.”
A memorable moment for Miranda was bringing his 10-year-old son to the set of “El Tiguere” to experience independent filmmaking firsthand, contrasting it with his earlier exposure to large-scale productions.
Looking ahead, Miranda hopes to secure ongoing funding to expand the program and encourages audiences to support the initiative by attending festival screenings.
Regarding sustainability, he underscored the importance of producing high-quality films, noting that success naturally fosters further opportunities.
Miranda also praised mentorship as an essential element of artistic growth, recounting how his eighth-grade English teacher and later collaborators like Stephen Sondheim influenced his path.
Beyond financial support and mentorship, he stressed that access to platforms where films can be showcased is crucial for underrepresented filmmakers.
Finally, Miranda offered encouragement to young artists facing industry barriers, citing Robert Rodriguez’s example of making his debut film on a shoestring budget and emphasizing that persistence through early setbacks is key to eventual success.
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