Monkeypaw Productions is launching NO DRAMA 2.0, the second edition of its global filmmaking initiative originally introduced in 2024. Designed as a non-exclusive, yearlong initiative, the program pairs emerging genre filmmakers with Universal Pictures’ roster of term-deal producers to provide direct industry access and studio exposure.
For this edition, Monkeypaw and Universal are partnering with the American Cinematheque to award up to three selected directors $50,000 grants to helm short film proofs-of-concept, with the ultimate goal of expanding them into feature-length projects. Applicants this year are required to submit a feature treatment alongside their short film script.
Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer highlighted the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to reunite with Monkeypaw Productions for the ‘No Drama’ initiative to champion the next generation of genre storytellers. Jordan and his team bring an unmatched expertise and passion to this initiative, making them the ultimate partners to help elevate these new voices.”
American Cinematheque Artistic Director Grant Moninger added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Universal Film and Monkeypaw Productions on this initiative and to present the finished films at the highest-attended genre film festival in the nation, Beyond Fest. Programs like this allow us to extend our mission beyond celebrating the history of cinema and take an active role in investing in its future.”
The expansion follows a successful run for the inaugural cohort, which debuted its short films at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim and saw 80% of its participants secure agency or management representation. Ariel Zengotita’s short ‘Imago’ landed a screening at SXSW, while Jared Leaf’s ‘Spilled Milk’ earned top accolades, including the narrative short audience award at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival and the HBO Short Film Award at the American Black Film Festival. Both Leaf and fellow filmmaker Chandler Crump were subsequently featured on TheBlkScript’s “35 Rising Filmmakers You Should Know” list.
NO DRAMA 2.0 revolves around two exploratory themes: “Fear is universal. Monsters are personal.” The themes challenge filmmakers to reimagine horror “across cultures, generations and societies, revealing the monsters we all carry within us.” Selected projects will debut at Beyond Fest in 2027, with Monkeypaw and Universal retaining first-look rights to consider the short films for feature development.
Interested filmmakers can submit their applications directly through the American Cinematheque online portal before the deadline on Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Photo credit: Monkeypaw Productions
–Dominique Young // @heyyydommm