Karen Schmeer, ACE
THE KAREN SCHMEER FILM EDITING FELLOWSHIP WAS CREATED IN 2010 TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF GIFTED EDITOR KAREN SCHMEER, ACE.
SINCE 2011 WE HAVE SUPPORTED 161 EMERGING, ASSOCIATE AND ASSISTANT EDITORS THROUGH OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
OUR MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE THE CAREERS OF AN INCLUSIVE GROUP OF DOCUMENTARY FILM EDITORS THROUGH MENTORSHIP TO HELP THEM GROW AS ARTISTS AND BUILD THEIR COMMUNITY. BY INVESTING IN EDITORS, WE AFFIRM AND STRENGTHEN THE CRITICAL ROLE EDITORS PLAY IN DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING.
2018 Fellows & Mentors, Photo by Ted Willis
Our Fellowship Program
The Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship is a yearlong group mentorship program that brings together 20–30 emerging and assistant editors from across the country — artists from historically overlooked backgrounds and a wide range of lived experiences — with seasoned industry veterans. The program helps participants navigate professional challenges, deepen their craft, and build lasting careers.
The open call for our 2026-2027 fellowship program will be this spring. Details will be posted in the coming weeks.
The Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship has been supported over the years by our generous 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, & SVA MFA Social Documentary Film.
