E2AC U: Social Impact Film Fellowship
Join a national network of student changemakers devoted to producing films for good in their local community.
Thanks to our collaboration with DKA, E2AC Social Impact Fellows are currently located across 9 college campuses nationwide and growing.
Ready to become an official E2AC Fellow?
Applications open late Spring 2026, but reach out today to get a head start!
What is the E2AC U Social Impact Film Fellowship?
Here’s what to expect.
Overview
Cohorts of 4-5 fellows on each college campus spend one academic year developing, producing, and screening a socially impactful documentary in collaboration with a local, under-resourced nonprofit and a documentary film mentor.
Fall (September to December): Story Development & Production
What goes into making a documentary, and telling a story that is not my own? Fellows kick off this program by meeting with their assigned nonprofit to come up with potential story focuses, interview subjects, and more. From there, they begin capturing B-Roll and scheduling interviews by the end of the semester.
Spring (January to April): Editing, Screening, & Impact Campaign
What happens after a film is made? Fellows spend these weeks editing a final cut, organizing a community screening, learning about distribution, and creating an impact campaign in support of the nonprofit’s mission. Stories have the power to change the world, and we want to help make that possible!
Interested in sponsoring a local student cohort and nonprofit documentary film?
Student Success Stories
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Kerlin Campos, Boston University ‘26
“Seeing E2AC’s films on immigration and helping screen them at our film festival in Boston gave me more confidence to pursue this topic and want to share it with the world in my own projects. Topics like this can be controversial, but E2AC was willing to listen to and share their important stories, which inspired me in many ways.”
After helping to plan E2AC’s Social Impact Film Festival, Kerlin joined the Student Program Committee with the goal of enhancing university and student partnerships across the country. Currently, she is writing and directing her thesis film on immigration, inspired by the films she saw and supported while interning with E2AC.
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Zayd Milkias, Chapman University ‘25
“[E2AC] prepared me for my college thesis by providing me with aspects of social impact storytelling I hadn’t been taught in school. From creating punchy pitch decks to analyzing similar content to what I was aiming to make, the program was a huge help.”
Zayd went on to teach the next cohort of students, and now serves as the Head of the Student Program Committee, consistently revising the structure and curriculum to enhance impact and experience.
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Alex Shores, Boston University '24
“The E2AC student program connected me with nonprofits in my local community, and taught me how I can utilize my filmmaking skills to support their causes. I also got to collaborate with like-minded social impact storytellers who inspired me to keep making a difference.”
After being a fellow himself for 2 years, Alex became the Program Manager for the E2AC student fellowship, and is working to share the impactful experience he had at E2AC with dozens of other students worldwide.
Student Success Stories
“The student team has been a joy to work with, from first contact to recent filming session. They’re very skilled, organized, and respectful of the stories we’re sharing with them. Children’s cancer and our personal journeys can be difficult to share and take in; these young filmmakers have made us comfortable at every step and have gone above and beyond to create a film that captures all the emotions, memories and hope.
I can’t say enough about the team and each member and, importantly, this project you’re creating for all parties involved. This film has been a gift to us and our organization, NANT. We are so grateful to E2AC for initiating the project and reaching us through CAC2. However it all came about, it has been worth it, ten times over.
As a college-student parent (oddly, my cancer surviving daughter is a senior at LMU), cancer mom, and advocate for NANT, I hope you realize what a fabulous opportunity you’ve created with these student film projects. The film students are learning about our cause and we are excited to anticipate how we might utilize the product in our marketing and fundraising efforts. It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
~ Susan Giusto, New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT)
FAQs
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Our program offers quality results and opportunities, including:
Funding for your documentary
Guaranteed distribution on our streaming channel
10-15 minute documentary film for your portfolio
Mentor in the film industry local to your area
Meaningful impact within your local community
Experienced guest speakers ready to share their wisdom and advice
Internship/elective college credit (check with your university first)
Become part of our lifelong alumni network
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We are always looking to expand, or provide other learning and industry experiences to students anywhere! Reach out to us at alex@e2ac.org to see how you can get involved today!
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We are always looking for nonprofits to create content for. Email us at alex@e2ac.org to learn more - we would love to work with you!
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None of this is possible without the funding to make it happen! Your donation goes toward:
Student Film Production Costs
Screening Venues
Film Festival Submissions
Professional Development Opportunities
Local, Experienced Film Mentors
Fellowship Program Delivery
Email us at alex@e2ac.org if you are interested in supporting any of our current or future cohort at a college near you!
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We are always in need of guest speakers for a variety of topics in the documentary filmmaking and social justice, social impact, and nonprofit sectors. Each team of students also receives a local mentor in the film industry, so email us at alex@e2ac.org if either of these opportunities interests you!
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Let’s chat! Whether it’s providing course credit to students, helping secure a local screening venue for the documentary, or providing students with access to university equipment, we would love your support! Email us at alex@e2ac.org today.