Our current fellowship program 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 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.

Meet our alumni and mentors. Visit our HIRE page for detailed information about our alumni, including availability.

Fellowship History

The Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship was created in 2010 to honor the memory of gifted editor Karen Schmeer, ACE.

2026 marks the 15th 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 consisted of 22 fellows who met in NY, LA, and virtually.

Since 2011 we have supported 161 assistant, associate and emerging documentary editors. 

Our Partners

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.

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. 

Over the years, 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.