30 Under 30 - Promising Artists 2026

The Filmmakers Connect 30 Under 30 spotlights a new generation of artists whose work is ready to be discovered. This year’s selection brings together filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, film composers, and editors who are already demonstrating a distinct voice, creative confidence, and a deep commitment to storytelling.

Drawn from a global community of over 80,000 members, this curated selection highlights artists who are not only emerging, but actively shaping their path - building their craft, refining their voice, and creating work that stands out. Each of them represents a creative force with the potential to reach wider audiences and leave a lasting impact.

Allie Markova

Allie Markova is an actress, writer, and former funeral director with a soft spot for old-school glamour and stories that veer a little left of center. Before stepping into the spotlight, she trained with mountain lions and worked in the death care industry—two oddly complementary experiences that taught her how to stay calm under pressure and commit fully to character. She got her start modeling for brands like Maxim and Playboy, then pivoted to film and television where she blends classic femininity with a quietly rebellious streak.

Her original screenplay Somebody’s Baby, a darkly funny queer horror comedy, is currently making its way through the festival circuit. This summer, she stars in a national MobileX campaign as an ’80s dream girl with teased hair and questionable decisions. She can also be seen in an upcoming horror series. With dry wit, emotional bite, and a flair for the unexpected, she’s building a body of work that’s as unforgettable as it is uncategorizable.

Andrew Feinstein

Andrew Feinstein is a YouTube Filmmaker with a passion for telling stories that connect. Whether he’s shooting a murder mystery film inside a real retirement home, living alongside some of the world’s toughest cowboys, or giving up his phone for 30 days, Andrew creates experiences that push him, and his viewers, to connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them.

In November 2025, Andrew's film Death at a Retirement Home, co-directed with Josh S. Rose, won Best Comedy at the Los Angeles Film Awards.

Branton McMahan

Writer-Director Branton McMahan knew his calling in Youth Ministry during his difficult years in high school. However, he didn't want to be another pastor on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night. He wanted to do something different and unique and that lined up with his creativity. Through a series of events only God could have ordained, Branton discovered his passion for filmmaking in 2015. He devoted the next few years to screenwriting, preparing his fields to receive the rain when God sent it.

Then in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and a severe crisis of faith, Branton finally committed to fulfilling his calling by writing and directing an original short film titled Good & Faithful.

From there, Project 29:11 Productions was born, and today they are recognized for Good & Faithful, Faith Healing, and many more stories yet to come!

Brock Edwards

Brock Edwards is a U.S.-based social science researcher and filmmaker exploring how inequality, community, and everyday life intersect across global contexts. His ethnographic and documentary work spans five continents and more than ten countries, examining how individuals shape social and economic change through acts of resilience, cooperation and community building.

Christopher W. Childers

Christopher W. Childers is a multi-award-winning filmmaker with over a decade of experience across commercials, music videos, feature films, and documentaries. He specializes in directing, cinematography, and editing, with a focus on crafting stories that connect with audiences.

In recent years, he has worked as Director of Photography and assistant editor on the documentary UMOJA, and as director and cinematographer of the award-winning documentary Christ School Basketball: A Legacy in Motion. The film has received multiple honors, including three Telly Awards, Best Documentary at the Raleigh Film and Arts Festival, and a semifinalist recognition at the Los Angeles Film Awards.

Christopher serves as Director of Video Operations at Christ School in North Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production from Western Carolina University and a Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Dom Lopez

Dom Lopez has always been a writer and storyteller. His ideas often emerge through his engagement with the community - whether distributing food and books at Mighty Writers in West Philadelphia, fulfilling book requests from incarcerated readers through Book Through Bars, or tutoring children at his local library. Through these experiences, he is driven to share the stories of the people around him.

Dom Lopez’s short film ABANDOMINIUM was a Semi-Finalist at LAFA (Los Angeles Film Awards) in April 2025. The film follows Tye, a house painter hired to cover the walls of an abandoned property, where he unexpectedly encounters a squatter during his time there.

Emma Prescott

Emma Prescott is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter and SAG-AFTRA actress who began her journey in the industry at just five years old. She grew up acting in commercials, television, and film, including Grey’s Anatomy and Entourage, gaining early exposure to both the magic and complexity of storytelling.

She later transitioned into writing, developing a passion for crafting stories grounded in reality with a touch of absurdity. Her first original screenplay, Not So Alone, completed in May, has already received festival recognition and awards. She continues to write and pursue the creation of compelling scripts, marking the beginning of what promises to be a strong and evolving career.

Emma Prescott’s screenplays Not So Alone and CODE: 143 were both recognized with awards at LAFA (Los Angeles Film Awards) in 2025.

Haruna Ito

Haruna Ito is a video creator, author, and aspiring film director. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Chuo University, she began her career as a narrator and later built a strong following through her YouTube channel, “Art YouTuber Itoharu,” known for its immersive storytelling centered on art and mythology.

Her creative work explores fantasy and horror, reflecting a distinctive expressive style as she continues to expand her work across directing, acting, and music.

Hsiang-Li Wang

Hsiang-Li Wang is a creative director and filmmaker specializing in the production of innovative dance films. His work blends contemporary performance styles - particularly those influenced by the global impact of Korean popular music - with Taiwan’s distinctive cultural heritage.

Through his films, he reimagines traditional elements such as temple festivals, martial arts, and folk rituals, transforming them into modern, visually striking productions. His work is designed to reach global audiences while exploring new possibilities for artistic expression.

Hwisu So

Hwisu So is the CEO of Aimz Media, a leading AI content company in South Korea, and a filmmaker specializing in AI-generated films. He has directed multiple AI-driven films, including Gulliver in Yuldo and Eddington. Currently, he is developing AI film projects exploring historical and scientific themes, pushing the boundaries of AI-powered filmmaking.

Isabelle Tumboimbela

Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, Isabelle is an emerging filmmaker with a passion for animation. She recently graduated from San Jose State University's Animation/ Illustration program and is ready to start her career in games or film.

In addition to her work as a director, Isabelle also has skills in 2D and 3D animation, lighting, compositing, storyboarding, and illustration. With this multitude of skills across departments, Isabelle is ready to tackle every project she undertakes.

As Isabelle continues her animation journey, she hopes to explore the communities and experiences that lack representation in media and of course while having fun with it.

Jordan Turrentine

Jordan Jamal Turrentine is a filmmaker from Baltimore, Maryland. He began his filmmaking journey in 2024, successfully writing and directing his first short film, Love or Law.

He now aspires to create impactful feature-length films that not only tell compelling stories, but also reflect his personal experiences and showcase his unique creative vision.

Justin Priluck

Justin Priluck is a young animator with a strong passion for storytelling and visual artistry. He won “Best Animation” at the Sierra Canyon High School Film Festival for four consecutive years, becoming the youngest recipient of the award.

His 2024 animated short, SOLACE, was an official selection at multiple festivals, including the Simi Film Festival, Orlando International Film Festival, Seattle Film Festival, and the All-American High School Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Animation.

Justin’s recent work, CANDY APPLES, is an animated music video for the indie band ti85, featuring an original story inspired by the style of 1970s comic books. He has also engaged with industry professionals across major studios, including Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks, Walt Disney Animation, and ILM/Lucasfilm.

Kabir McNeely

Kabir McNeely is an American actor, known for his acclaimed leading roles in his feature directorial debut, Fallaway (2025) and his titular role in the award-winning film My Name Is Moe (2022). He also appeared in supporting roles in Rebel, Everyone Asked About You (2025) and American Conservatory Theater's production of A Christmas Carol.

Lavanya Manikkan

Lavanya Manikkan is an emerging filmmaker with a strong foundation in the performing arts. Trained in Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic singing for eight years, she brings a deep sense of artistic expression into her work as both a writer and performer.

Her storytelling is influenced by formalist cinema and often explores complex, unconventional relationships as a lens for social commentary. Her work reflects a balance of intellectual depth and emotional sensitivity, with a focus on creating thought-provoking narratives grounded in moral and cultural themes.

Lavanya is currently a Film HL student who achieved a Level 7 and will continue her studies at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, majoring in Cinema and Media Studies.

Nick Nelsen

Nick Nelsen was born in Blair, Nebraska, where he spent his early years before moving to Colorado to study film music composition at the University of Northern Colorado. He graduated with a degree in Film Composition and Audio Engineering, studying under accomplished composer Ludek Drizhal, who helped him develop his unique sound.

Nickolas Solan

Nickolas Solan is a senior at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in journalism with a minor in screenwriting. His work includes a short film and multiple feature screenplays that have received international recognition.

With several additional projects currently in development, he continues to grow as a writer, focused on crafting stories that reflect his voice and creative ambition.

Olivia Rose

Olivia Rose is a Chicago-based filmmaker, writer, and actor creating emotionally charged, character-driven stories centered on identity and generational trauma. Her recent projects include That’s My Boy and Be Kind Be Brave, noted for their visual symbolism and raw vulnerability. With acting experience in both Nashville and Chicago—most notably a lead role in Dress to Impress—Olivia brings a performance-first approach to her directing. She was recently recognized by the Los Angeles Film Awards.

Rosalind Joyce

Rosalind Joyce is a filmmaker, actress, and dancer living in New York City. She attended Barnard College, where she majored in English and Dance. Rosalind makes narrative dance films with a unique edge. Her newest short film, "Don't Look Down," recently had its international debut at the Inspired Dance Film Festival in Sydney, Australia.

Rylie Prentice

Rylie Prentice is a filmmaker and visual storyteller with a passion for emotionally driven animation. A recent graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Animation program, Rylie focuses on crafting cinematic worlds that explore mood, character, and honest connection. Her award-winning thesis film Spark showcases her strengths in layout, lighting, and visual storytelling. Rylie’s work blends thoughtful design with heartfelt narrative, and she’s continually inspired by stories that leave a lasting emotional impact.

Samantha Murdock Hussey

Samantha Murdock Hussey is a Texas-based filmmaker that focuses on creating stories with strange and complex characters, worlds that saturated in heightened reality, and themes that focus on finding purpose, community, or yourself. She takes much inspiration from filmmakers such as Lynne Ramsey, Paul Thomas Anderson, John Carpenter, Joe Dante, and Peter Bogdanovich. She wrapped production on her first feature film late summer of 2025 and has her latest short script "Circus Freak" in festival circulation.

Sarah Fan

Sarah Fan, raised in Shanghai, China, began her artistic journey in dance and visual arts before expanding into talent management, film production, and entertainment marketing. With her interdisciplinary background, Sarah has a passion for fusing art forms to create meaningful experiences that foster human connection and artistic expression. Currently a student at the USC Iovine and Young Academy and an incoming intern at Paramount, Sarah remains committed to using art as a medium to drive social impact and amplify underrepresented voices.

Savanna Crasto

Savanna Crasto is an award-winning Australian director, writer, and producer of Indian, Portuguese, and Danish heritage, dedicated to elevating culturally diverse storytelling within Australian cinema. As the founder of The Colour Series, she leads a production company that blends theatrical discipline with cinematic storytelling, incorporating colour psychology as a key element in her work.

Over the past five years, she has independently written, directed, produced, funded, and starred in multiple feature and short films, with her work receiving recognition at international festivals across Europe, North America, and Australia. Her film The Psychology of Beauty (2021) won Best Film and Best Director at several festivals, while Chasing Lemons (2022) and Love and Lemon Trees continued her run of award-winning projects.

Her recent work includes the short films Blue Heaven and It’s Called Hiatus, as well as A Walk Along Sunset (2024), leading into her latest project, Artistry of the Poltergeist (2025), currently in post-production.

Savanna has trained at Harvard University, the Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts, and Queensland University of Technology. Her work reflects a balance of artistic vision, cultural identity, and audience engagement, as she continues to develop projects with both international reach and strong creative voice.

Talia Masiello

Talia Masiello is an actress, writer, and production assistant, as well as the creator of Ladies Writers Room, a community for female creatives. She has worked on a range of productions, including And Just Like That, Billions, Let the Right One In, and City on Fire.

Her theatre credits include Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Leisl in The Sound of Music, Julie in Carousel, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kate in Nicholas Nickleby, and Ivy in Poison Ivy.

In addition to her on-screen and stage work, she has contributed as a production assistant on major events such as the Tony Awards, New York Fashion Week, the Tribeca Film Festival, Miami Swim Week, and the New York Film Festival. She is currently developing several writing projects.

Tim Schauer

Tim Schauer is an artist, filmmaker, and writer based in Los Angeles. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, he co-created and wrote on the Netflix original comedy series Boo, Bitch, starring Lana Condor and Zoe Colletti. As part of his current role as an AI Artist at Ayzenberg Group, Tim uses AI tools to craft original short films, including Fetch, which won Best Comedy at the Los Angeles Film Awards.

Tzuyu Tung

Tzuyu Tung is a New York City-based motion designer specializing in 2D illustrative animation. Her work reflects the city’s energy - vibrant, fast-paced, and layered with stories.

She translates ideas into visually compelling narratives defined by bold color palettes and fluid movement, with a focus on creating expressive, character-driven animations. Through her work, she aims to evoke emotion while transforming complex concepts into engaging visual experiences.

Weiqi Meng

Weiqi Meng is a Chinese filmmaker and editor with a background in theatre and a master’s degree in Film and TV Production from Loyola Marymount University. In 2021, she wrote, directed, and edited The End, a dark comedy about a woman pushed to the edge by her solitary life. She later wrote and directed Carol the Cactus (2023), a surreal comedy exploring the blurred lines between reality and imagination.

Her work also includes writing Imaginary Friends and editing projects such as Don’t Wake the Baby. Beyond narrative filmmaking, she creates animated music videos, managing every stage of the process - from composing and illustration to animation and editing.

She is currently developing an experimental animation YouTube channel as part of her ongoing creative exploration toward future feature filmmaking.

Xiaochen Zheng

Xiaochen Zheng is a multidisciplinary artist and animator based in New York. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Computer Arts from the School of Visual Arts (SVA), where she created award-winning animated works that explore identity, belonging, and emotional resilience through surreal storytelling and vivid color design.

Drawing from personal experiences and cross-cultural psychology, Xiaochen blends 3D animation, art therapy concepts, and visual design into emotionally charged narratives. Her recent film Wonderland has been recognized at multiple international film festivals. Beyond animation, she continues to expand her creative practice through research in color psychology, healing aesthetics, and digital world-building.

Xinran Gu

Xinran Gu is a Chinese filmmaker and motion designer currently pursuing an MFA in Film at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). With a background in Digital Media Art, Xinran brings a unique blend of visual storytelling and motion design to her filmmaking, crafting narratives that are both emotionally resonant and visually striking.

As a director, Xinran gravitates towards stories that explore the fragility of human emotions, the nuances of female perspectives, and the unsettling complexities of relationships. Her work often delves into themes of identity, longing, and the psychological tension between appearance and reality, using carefully composed cinematography and atmospheric lighting to heighten emotional depth.

Xinran’s work reflects her belief that the most profound emotions often exist in silence, and her films strive to capture these delicate, often unspoken moments with authenticity and depth. She continues to develop projects that explore the complexity of female experiences, using her distinct cinematic voice to shed light on perspectives that are often overlooked or understated.

Yachan Yuan

Yachan Yuan is a visual effects artist specializing in VFX and visual design. Driven by a passion for the intersection of art and technology, Yuan explores how digital techniques can enhance storytelling, adding depth, emotion, and visual impact.

Yuan holds an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, with additional studies at Tongji University and Aalto University. This diverse background informs a distinctive approach that blends Eastern and Western artistic influences while embracing the evolution of digital media.

Yuan has contributed as a VFX compositor to projects including the 2024 Oscars broadcast, Call of Duty, and commercial work for brands such as Toyota, Xfinity, Apple, and Uber Eats.

Through each project, Yuan focuses on creating visually compelling work that resonates both emotionally and conceptually, while continuing to push creative boundaries within digital storytelling.

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