Aspiring filmmakers can soon enter submissions for a new initiative launched by entertainment powerhouse Tyler Perry.

According to Deadline, on April 17, Perry will begin the Dream Collective program, intended to find and foster the upcoming generation of filmmakers, emphasizing marginalized communities. 

Dream Collective will center participants’ short film creation, “giving filmmakers unprecedented access to industry experts, hands-on training and tailored support, empowering them to tell their stories and build toward career sustainability,” Perry said.

The application will consist of five rounds, beginning with one thousand entries being accepted from April 17 to May 1. In May 2025, 100 preliminary finalists will be chosen and notified. Next, the preliminary finalists will hold four-week virtual sessions, with opportunities to meet a director and other creatives, informing them of topics both behind and in front of the camera. 

The scripts and additional materials for the 100 finalists’ short films that best reflect the filmmaker's vision will be encouraged to be submitted. Ten winners will be chosen and revealed in July 2025. After that, the ten winners start a 10-day hands-on training program from July to August at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, involving short film preparation. After training and an opportunity to pitch their planned short films, five grand prize winners will be selected and announced in August. The group will also be awarded $30,000 from Tyler Perry Studios to create their short film in the greater Atlanta area.

“For a long time, it’s been on my heart to create a program where I could take what I’ve learned in this business and share it with others. That’s why today, I’m honored and excited to introduce the Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective,” Perry stated. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming directors to learn about the craft and business of filmmaking from professionals at the top of their game. In a word, this is about access,” he continued. “Breaking into the industry can be tough–believe me. When I started making movies twenty years ago, even though my stage plays were selling out, nobody in Hollywood knew my name or gave me a shot. The Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective is my dream of opening the door for the next generation of artists.”

For more information, visit the official Dream Collective website.