The Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship was created in 2010 to honor the memory of gifted editor Karen Schmeer. Our mission is to cultivate the careers of an inclusive group of documentary editors, associate editors and assistant editors through mentorship to help them grow as artists and build their community. We recognize that each editor brings their own unique set of skills and perspectives to every project they work on. By investing in editors, we affirm and strengthen the critical role editors play in documentary storytelling.

2024 marks the 13th year of our programs. From 2011-2020 the Emerging Editor Fellowship went to one emerging documentary film editor annually. In 2018 our Diversity in the Edit Room Program was created first in New York and then in Los Angeles, and in its three years brought seventy-two assistant and early-career editors together with mentors. Our re-designed group fellowship program began in 2022 and the 2024-2025 fellowship cohort consists of 22 fellows who are meeting in NY, LA, and virtually. Since 2011 we have supported 161 assistant, associate and emerging documentary editors.

Our 2024-2025 fellowship is a year-long group professional development program for assistant, associate and emerging documentary film editors from historically underrepresented backgrounds and experiences - including those facing discrimination or barriers due to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomics, immigration, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. The fellowship runs from September 2024 to September 2025 and consists of monthly small group meetings with seasoned documentary editor mentors. The program is hybrid, both online and in-person, allowing for fellows from across the United States.

While there are many talented editors who are also pursuing directing and producing careers, this is a program for people who are committed to documentary editing. Ideal applicants are currently working as documentary assistant, associate or early career editors who are looking to grow and work towards building a sustainable career. Growing from early-career roles such as assistant or associate editors into a full editor role can be a challenging and elusive process, and at any early stage in your career building a network and being recognized for your skills can be equally challenging. Applicants should be curious, open-minded, collaborative, and self-motivated people who are eager to get together with other documentary creatives to talk about the art, craft, ethics and business of editing documentaries.

Applications for the 2024-2025 fellowship year were accepted during the open call period from April 1, 2024 to May 12, 2024. For information about the fellowship program’s eligibility requirements and application process, view our 2024-2025 Application Guidelines and 2024-2025 Application FAQ documents. To apply visit: www.karenschmeer.com/apply. Information about our 2025-2026 fellowship program will be posted on our website in early 2025.

Please reach out to us at info@karenschmeer.com with any questions.

Meet our current fellows and mentors, as well as past program alumni and mentors. Visit our Hire page for detailed information about our alumni and current fellows, including availability.

Thank you to our partners American Cinema Editors (ACE), Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, Adobe, SXSW, Manhattan Edit Workshop, A&E IndieFilms, DCTV, Sound Lounge, Netflix, IFFBoston, LEF, International Documentary Association (IDA), Rooftop Films, East Coast Digital, Final Frame, Pure Nonfiction, DOC NYC, Camden International Film Festival, General Assembly, and SVA MFA Social Documentary Film. 

Our valued partners provide membership and passes, support kick-off parties and networking events, host master classes and workshops, provide space for group meetings, and offer editing software and personal access to their technical experts.

AMERICAN CINEMA EDITORS (ACE) is an honorary association of professional film editors that celebrates and promotes the art of editing. Editors are included on the basis of professional achievement, dedication to educating others, and commitment to the craft of editing.